A council says it does not need donations for Afghan refugees set to be temporarily housed in a popular hotel.

Since news broke that more than 100 men, women and children are to be given emergency accommodation at the Abbots Barton in Canterbury, people across the district have come forward with offers of clothes, toys and bedding in a heart-warming show of charity.

A woman's post on local Facebook page Canterbury Residents Group has amassed hundreds of comments from people keen to help out.

One primary school teacher offered to make activity packs for children, while a Sainsbury's manager also pledged her support.

Others have volunteered their time, or have offered items such as children's clothes and buggies.

But a city council spokesman says while the philanthropic display has come as "absolutely no surprise", no help is needed at this time.

They said: "Canterbury district has a long history of the community coming forward to help the most vulnerable people and stepping up to support those in the greatest need.

"We want to say a massive thank you for the compassion you have all shown.

"However, we need to be completely clear that at the current time, we are not looking for this kind of help."

The district will play a part in two projects aimed at helping Afghan nationals who are fleeing Afghanistan, following its take-over by the Taliban regime.

The first is a Home Office project that will see 106 people who have supported British troops over the years given accommodation at the Abbots Barton Hotel, in New Dover Road.

The refugees - the first are expected to arrive within a few days - are expected to be at the the hotel for a short period of time before being moved to accommodation elsewhere in the UK.

The city council said: "They will receive full board and all their needs will be taken care of while there.

"There is no space to take in donations and there are enough people to run this project."

The second project is the Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme.

"Quite simply, it's the Canterbury district at its very best..."

This national government this week committed the nation to take in up to 20,000 refugees who are desperate to escape Afghanistan, Canterbury City Council has backed the project.

A city council spokesman said: "At the moment there are no details of how many people may come to Canterbury or when. We do not know if it will be families or individuals, nor what their medical, welfare or schooling needs may be.

"It is therefore too early to say what community help we may require, if anything."

The spokesman added that more information will be available in due course.

They said: "We promise to update you next week about ways to get involved.

"Thank you again for all of the interest. Quite simply, it's the Canterbury district at its very best."

Although the projects have largely been met with support, some have suggested they are unfair to local residents who are in need of housing.

But council leader Ben Fitter-Harding has stressed rehousing those seeking refuge will not be at the expense of the more than 2,000 local people already on the authority’s housing waiting list.

“We are keen to do our bit to help these people who are fleeing persecution, and are working with our private sector partners to find suitable rental accommodation, using funding from the Home Office,” he said.

“We are working quietly behind the scenes on this but I can say that it will not impact on our existing housing waiting list and nobody will be disadvantaged as a result.”

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