Refugees from war-torn Syria will arrive in Cumbria this month.

Nearly 300 refugees are to be resettled in the county - in Carlisle and Eden - over the next three years.

They will be offered a package of support including housing, education and cultural help as they adjust to their new lives in this country.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: "The county will welcome a small number of Syrian refugee families to Cumbria during April, with more families expected to arrive later in the year.

"Councils have been working closely with our partners to prepare for the families’ arrival and ensure that they are appropriately supported."

The families will be allocated specialist case workers and interpreters.

They will be given help finding school places, support with health needs and employment and benefits.

The council spokesman added: "Support for the refugees is funded by the Home Office as part of the national resettlement scheme for Syrian refugees.

"The families arriving this month will be resettled in Carlisle and Eden - primarily because of the availability of suitable housing - and the aim is to support them to integrate into local communities.

"We know that community groups and local volunteers are keen to offer support, many have already.

"We have all of this information and as the refugees settle in the county they will be informed about what is on offer in their communities and introductions will be made to local groups if refugees want to access this support."

The plans to house the refugees were approved by the county council's cabinet in December last year.

Since then, many organisations and individuals have been collecting items like food, clothes and toiletries to give to them when they arrive.

Adrienne Gill, development officer with Carlisle One World Centre, said: "We are hoping to provide them with language skills.

"We will give them support wherever they need it.

"We will help them with their homes."

People looking for more information can visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/refugees."