PLANS to bring up to 150 refugees from Syria to East Lothian over the next five years may not be enough, councillors warned at a meeting this week.

Speaking as East Lothian Council gave the green light to officials to approve plans by the UK Government to resettle seven families - estimated to 30 people - in the county annually, some councillors expressed concern that more help would be needed.

Independent councillor David Berry said: "My concern is that it will not be enough. I think we should lobby to have more people come here."

And Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP opposition leader, added: "I think it will take decades for this issue to be resolved. There will be times in the not too distant future when we will have to do more, we have a huge responsibility to our fellow human beings."

The council has already pledged to help refugees caught up in the Syrian crisis and last week council leader Willie Innes revealed he had written to the Prime Minister asking for flexibility in the way they are brought to the county.

Mr Innes wants a reception centre, a place where the families can live initially and receive support, to be set up, as it was in the Nineties when refugees from Bosnia and Kosovo came to the county.

Councillor Michael Veitch, deputy council leader, spoke at a meeting which was held in the Corn Exchange, Haddington, on Saturday night by group East Lothian Welcomes Refugees.

The meeting was attended by several councillors and Mr Veitch said the support from people for the refugees was very moving.

He said: "Regardless of whether or not we are permitted to house the refugees together in the first instance, I think it will be key to ensure that there is a ‘hub’ created, perhaps in one of our community centres, where the refugees can initially meet together during the day and receive support.

"Views will vary on the rights and wrongs of the UK Government’s approach. I believe the important thing is to focus on what we can do with the powers we have. East Lothian is small and we may only be receiving a relatively small number of people – perhaps around 150 people in total.

" However, what we do have is an established, credible process, whereby the means are now in place for families to come here, and for us to show them practical assistance and compassion in their time of greatest need."