City council chiefs will consider converting disused buildings in Dundee into homes for Syrian refugees as part of their response to the migrant crisis.

The local authority has pledged to do its bit to help the situation, with some residents already offering to take people into their own homes.

Meanwhile, Perth and Kinross Council has told the Tele it will take in 30 refugees between now and Christmas.

And the number could rise to 50 if the Government decides to increase the number allowed into the UK.

In Dundee there have been calls by campaigners to accept more than 500 refugees — but a definite number is yet to be announced.

Councillor Ken Lynn, Dundee’s health and social work convener, said: “The number we take in doesn’t depend on the council but on decisions made at Westminster.

“We are looking at ways of providing accommodation for the refugees and many people have offered to take them into their own homes.

“We’re at the very early stages of looking at our options — we’re absolutely determined to have something in place.

“This could mean looking at buildings that the council has that are not used for accommodation at the moment, and converting them.

“The education department is looking at how schools can accept Syrian pupils.

“Some schools are at capacity, but there are many primaries and secondaries that are very short on numbers.

“Dundee is a great example of a community with different cultures — there has never been racial tension and I can’t see it being any different when the Syrians come.

“I’m sure they will be welcomed and will fit in well in the city.”

In Perth, the local foodbank is already on standby with enough food parcels for 50 people.

Chairman Michael Archibald said: “We started gearing up as soon as we heard that refugees will be coming.

“We’re confident that we’re prepared should they need our help.”

Perth councillor Peter Barrett said that the 30 confirmed refugees amount to five families in total. He said: “Taking refugees and meeting our humanitarian

obligations is the right thing to do as we cannot stand by and leave this to others.

“Perth and Kinross Council has been involved in extensive preparations with the Home Office, NHS, CoSLA and other councils and the Scottish Government to be able to provide sanctuary and support to Syrian families who have been through unimaginable horrors fleeing from the civil war.

“We stand ready to provide sanctuary to five families between now and Christmas, and we should be ready to do more if the UK Government and EU partners step up the response to the crisis.”