REFUGEES from war-ravaged Syria are to be given new lives in Glasgow.

The city will become the first in Scotland to accept people who have been forced to flee their homeland because of the violence.

It has been revealed 50 of the most vulnerable refugees from the troubled Middle East country will be given new homes in the city.

They will include survivors of torture and violence as well as women and children at risk and those in need of medical care.

It is understood the first group will arrive around the end of October.

The city council has been in discussions with Glasgow Housing Association and plans to talk to other registered social landlords about available accommodation.

The influx is being co-ordinated by the Home Office, which will also fund the cost of looking after, accommodating and caring for the city's new residents.

City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Glasgow is recognised as having particular expertise in this area and in 2000 we operated the first asylum dispersal programme.

"The asylum seekers who come to Glasgow will be those who have been identified as among the most vulnerable of the 2.5 million Syrians who have fled the country in fear of their lives and are in refugee camps in surrounding countries.

"The UK Government will pay the costs incurred in terms of health, education as well as the other services that will be needed to look after these people."