Hundreds of empty council properties are to be brought back into use to house those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Aberdeen City Council will spend £6.15 million renovating buildings as part of a nationwide effort to accommodate those displaced by conflict in Ukraine and around the globe.

The council has worked with partner organisations to support more than 1100 people arriving from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Councillor Miranda Radley, the convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: "This investment will give people displaced by war in Ukraine a chance to resettle in our city and become part of our community.

"We are providing a home in the very real sense of the word.

"Coupled with the humanitarian aid provided by residents, Aberdeen has become a place of sanctuary where families and individuals can rebuild their lives.”

The scheme is funded by the Scottish Government’s Longer Term Resettlement Fund which seeks to improve access to housing options to reduce dependencies on short-term accommodation.

It came from a review of the Super Sponsor Scheme, which outlined 16 interventions aiming to support people who have fled the war in Ukraine to integrate into Scottish communities.

The measures had a particular emphasis on accommodation which led the Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray to announce the funding for Aberdeen City Council.

The review also outlined seven criteria for re-opening the Super Sponsor Scheme which acts alongside the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme in which eligible people can host displaced families.