Bradford will be offering a safe haven to refugees of the Kosovo conflict, it was confirmed today.

Social services chiefs in the district are making urgent contingency plans to prepare for the arrival of the next wave of refugees.

Already there are 80 refugees staying in the Leeds district, in reception centres at Cookridge and Beeston.

Councillor John Godward, chairman of Bradford social services, said today: "I can confirm we are definitely going to get some of the refugees.

"We don't know at this stage how many, or when they are coming, but that could change in a matter of hours.

"We are ready and able to provide assistance and, for their sake, look forward to doing so. I hope the people of Bradford will, as they always have done in the past, welcome these people."

From next week, refugees will start arriving at Leeds-Bradford Airport, part of the 15,000 strong contingent the Government recently announced would be coming to Britain.

Coun Godward said the Council was working hard behind the scenes to identify suitable accommodation for the newcomers but the location of this accommodation would not be announced publicly, to preserve the refugees' privacy.

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