Three South Ayrshire homes will be made available for people from Afghanistan who need to flee the country for their own safety.

Refuge will be offered to help staff who worked for the UK military mostly as interpreters in the country.

Due to the demand for homes in the area, the council has decided to take in three households at the most.

They are in potential danger from the Taliban if they can’t escape Afghanistan.

Councillors voted to participate in the Afghan Relocation Scheme at a full council meeting on Thursday.

Labour councillor Philip Saxton, responsible for housing, said: “We have a duty of care to these people. If they stay in Afghanistan they could be shot. This is about saving lives.”

Councillor Saxton said of 20 Afghan families who were housed in South Ayrshire during 2013, seven still remain in the area.

He said: “Our officers already have experience in supporting people relocating from Afghanistan and know what their needs are.”

International troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan so there are fears those who helped the UK forces could face reprisals.

A council report said: “It is recommended that council agrees to participate in the Afghan Relocation Scheme, by making initially up to three properties available within South Ayrshire to support the accelerated relocation of locally employed staff who have been supporting the UK in Afghanistan.”

The Home Office provides funding to councils that welcome Afghan arrivals to support the costs of resettlement.

It is understood they will be leaving in the coming months.