Holiday homes in the South Hams could be used to house Syrian refugees.

And second home owners who offer their houses up would be given council tax breaks in return.

That could be part of a district wide response to the current refugee crisis as the Government agreed to take on 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

The Green Party is urging South Hams Council to welcome up to 50 refugees families by encouraging holiday home owners to volunteer their houses as accommodation.

So far South Hams Council has stopped short of agreeing to the second homes call.

But leader of the council, John Tucker said in a public statement: ‘South Hams Council is deeply moved by the refugee crisis and we are following events closely. We fully understand that people in our communities want to do all they can to support them.

‘As far as the current situation stands, we are awaiting further information from Central Government about the role the district council can perform in this process.’

Mr Tucker added: ‘We have received enquiries from concerned residents asking to help with the situation, at this stage we are waiting to find out from Central Government how refugees brought to Britain will be supported. An announcement is expected next week.

‘South Hams Council continues to work with the UK Border Agency and Central Government to ensure that when and if we are called upon, we are ready to move quickly.’

This week Totnes Liberal Democrats joined the call for refugees to be housed in second homes and other empty properties in the South Hams – with the Government paying the rents.

They want to see South Hams Council offer a welcome and temporary accommodation to some of the Syrian refugees the Government is planning to take from camps bordering Syria.

John Birch, speaking on behalf of the Totnes Liberal Democrats, said: ‘South Hams has one of the largest proportion of second homes in the UK, with over 4,000 in number.

‘Most of these homes are empty during the winter and we propose that the council and government encourage the second homes owners to make their properties available to Syrian refugees in the short term whilst permanent arrangements are made.

‘Encouragement to the second home owners could be in the form of a short term letting fee or rent paid by the government.’