More than 20 Afghan interpreters who risked their lives on the frontline during conflict in Helmand are set to be rehomed in Staffordshire with their families.

The Home Office has called on local authorities across the country to help interpreters who have assisted the Armed Forces in Afghanistan during the past 15 years to relocate to the UK.

Now Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent councils have offered to support up to 25 interpreters and their families to find new homes in the city and county.

Home Office grants are being provided to fund accommodation, as well as advice and assistance to help the families access employment, welfare benefits, education and health services.

The relocation scheme has been in place since 2013. It enables interpreters who served for a year or more continuously on the frontline in Helmand from May 2006 and were made redundant the opportunity to apply for relocation to the UK.

Plans to speed up the relocation of interpreters and their families were announced by the government earlier this year.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "We owe a debt of gratitude to our interpreters and other locally employed staff who risked their lives working alongside UK forces in Afghanistan.

"We have always made clear that nobody's life should be put at risk because they supported the UK Government to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan."

"As we withdraw our Armed Forces, it is only right we accelerate the relocation of those who may be at risk of reprisals.

"The Home Secretary and I are going to do everything to make sure we recognise their services and bring them to safety. It is the right thing to do."

Cannock Chase Council cabinet members backed the scheme at their meeting on Thursday.

Council leader Olivia Lyons said: "They supported us on the frontline and assisted our armed forces. Staffordshire and this council has a duty to support those who have supported our armed forces, ensuring they are safely integrated into our society."

The Home Office is seeking to relocate 1,500 individuals by the end of June with a total of approximately 5,000 before the final withdrawal of the troops later this year.

Staffordshire has committed to 15 interpreters or families in a first cohort, with a total of 25 overall across Stoke-on-Trent and the county.

Families will be rehoused within the private rented sector or by registered housing providers, other stock holding organisations or council housing stock.

As it is a funded scheme it is not envisaged there will be any direct financial implications on the councils.