OCHIL and South Perthshire MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh praised an initiative led by Alloa Athletic which welcomed a range of refugee families in the town to watch Saturday’s Scottish League One game against Peterhead FC.

The Wasp Community Club provided hospitality and team scarves at the Indodrill Stadium to families who recently relocated to the area after fleeing the conflict in Syria, and invited the local MP to meet them at the match.

Speaking after the event, Ms Ahmed-Sheikh appreciated the club’s generosity, saying: “I really welcome the efforts made by all at the club to provide a warm welcome for these Syrian families, who have arrived in Alloa in such tragic circumstances.

"It’s symptomatic of the kindness and support they have received from the community at large which has helped them to settle here so quickly.

“It was great to be able to chat with the families and arrange to meet up in the coming weeks to discuss what else can be done to help them to integrate into their new home in Scotland.

“I’m proud of the positive response that this initiative has already received, and so I’d like to thank Alloa Athletic for reaching out in such a welcoming and inclusive way."