PENARTH Town Council have decided to hold off on making official ties with an Eastern European town given the current state of the migrant crisis.

The council's town twinning committee made the decision not to formally twin with the city of Dojran in Macedonia at its meeting on Wednesday, January 6 at West House on Stanwell Road.

In June 2015, the council welcomed the Macedonian Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Jovan Donev, to Penarth as he made the case for stronger ties between his country and Wales.

Following this visit, the town council sent a letter to the mayor of Dojran to extend a hand of friendship.

A reply from Borce Stamov has been received saying that Dojran would support Penarth's Town Council's initiative for joint participation in the Citizens of Europe programme.

He also invited the town mayor, leader of the council and representatives from Penarth Youth Action to visit the city of Dojran.

But concerns about the current situation regarding the migrant crisis in Europe prompted councillors to urge caution before launching any official links.

Town mayor and committee chairwoman councillor Rosemary Cook said it was good that they could support a shared initiative towards the citizens of Europe programme but that the committee we need more information before committing to a formal twinning agreement.

She raised concerns over Dojran's proximity to Gevgelija near the Greek border which has been described as a "crisis" area by Macedonian authorities due to the large numbers of refugees passing through the region.

Dojran is just 15 miles away and Cllr Cook said: "It is important to know what the situation is there and monitor it closely but also offer some support. It is an heartbreaking situation there and we need to see how things progress."

Leader of the town council, cllr Mike Cuddy said that, at this stage, official twinning may not be a worthwhile exercise.

Councillor Anthony Ernest concurred with these comments saying it was the right approach to take. He said that the town council has always taken a careful approach to these matters.

Fellow Plymouth ward member cllr Clive Williams highlighted the responsibility the council, given they are spending public money, to consider all aspects.

St Augustine's ward member, cllr Philip Rapier said: "It is rather sad we cannot extend more positively. We must encourage some contact and there things we can do such as setting up cultural links."

It was agreed that the council should try to find ways to extend a "hand of friendship" towards Dojran.