Bath could host the annual UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting amid growing calls to strip Russia of the honour.

State parties including the UK have said they will boycott the event if it goes ahead in Kazan but UNESCO has yet to announce any change of plans.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has joined calls to move the meeting in June to a safe location, with leader Kevin Guy offering Bath as an alternative.

He said: "It is clear that such a meeting in Russia at this time is both inappropriate and impractical. Our cultural heritage has the power to promote international understanding and cooperation, and this sector should play its part in promoting peace.

"We have written today to Nigel Huddlestone MP, the Secretary of State for sport, tourism, heritage and civil society, adding our support to the UK Government's call on UNESCO to move the committee. UNESCO must announce that the meeting is moved to a safe location."

The decision to hold the meeting in Russia was made in July last year. UNESCO has said the 21 member states have the right to vote to change the location.

Mr Guy added: "The worsening humanitarian crisis created by Russia's horrifying invasion of Ukraine means we must continue to support aid agencies and we encourage donations to established organisations such as the British Red Cross and UNICEF and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

"We have already stated our readiness to resettle refugees via the government's Humanitarian sponsorship route and want to remind people to get in touch if they can offer self-contained accommodation with a private entrance and its own bathroom and kitchen facilities."

People can email [email protected] and the council we will keep offers on file for when requests start to come in.

The council does not have any contracts with any Russian state-owned companies but will review forthcoming government guidance on procurement that will address issues in the gas and energy market affecting many public sector organisations, including schools.

The Avon Pension Fund has decided to ban any new investments in Russian assets and keep divesting in Russian-controlled and Russian-owned assets, bonds and equities.