A pressure group is calling on councils to house 50 refugees each.

The three million-strong online community 38 Degrees' 'Refugees Welcome' campaign has so far attracted 85,000 signatures across 602 local petitions.

In Kent, a petition asking Maidstone council to house 50 refugee families from Syria has so far garnered a more modest total of 58 supporters.

Meanwhile, in Tonbridge and Malling 71 people have lent their support to a similar petition, while Sevenoaks' petition has been signed 67 times and Tunbridge Wells' has been signed 114 times.

A Maidstone Borough Council spokesman said: "Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing but refugees confirmed by the Home Office would be eligible for help. Local authorities are awaiting advice from the Government on meeting this humanitarian need and the support it will offer.

“KCC has responsibility for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and provides accommodation either through reception centres, foster care or supported accommodation for these unaccompanied children.

“Councils and other services will need to work together to provide for the needs of refugees and our current communities.”

Last week it was announced 40 teenage refugees from Syria and Afghanistan will be given temporary accommodation in Cranbrook.

The campaign states: "Our prime minister has indicated the number of refugees the UK will take will be well below the EU quota. He thinks that most of us don't care. But 38 Degrees members do care. We don't want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria."

It calls on members of the website to stand up for Britain's long tradition of helping refugees fleeing war.