THE news that one of the borough’s landmark religious sites has been touted as a possible location to house 30 Syrian refugees has been met with a mixed reaction.

Uncertainty has surrounded Loyola Hall, in Rainhill, which is owned by the Society of Jesus — Jesuits — and was used for spiritual breaks until Easter 2014.

St Helens Council cabinet member Cllr Richard McCauley confirmed the authority had referred the Jesuits to Home Office-appointed services company Serco, which was appointed for acquiring housing for asylum seekers across the North.

The news was met with a sharply divided reaction from Star readers on social media.

Mandy Donnelly said: “Of course we should be helping the (genuine) Syrian refugees. Even their own country is not safe for them to live in.”

But James Tasker wrote: “Having seen what is now taking place in the towns across Europe where ‘refugees’ are, I do not think we can take a risk housing them in Rainhill.

"That said, as a developed country we need to provide support and assistance to these people.

"We should be looking to house them in places closer to home.”

The Jesuits claim a proper assessment over the suitability of the site is yet to be carried out.

Brother Stephen Power said: “I believe Serco made one visit but that was not definitive. I am waiting to hear what their assessment is.”

Action group Friends of Loyola Hall was set up, with more than 200 people turning out to discuss ideas for the building last September.

Peter Elson, chairman of the action group, said: “It was unanimous that people wanted access to the place after they saw what was behind the walls.

"We are keen that the place should be some community asset. We are not giving up and we are keeping going until the place is sold off.”