ONE of the first Congolese refugees to be resettled in Scotland spoke today of his hopes for a new life in a peaceful country.

Luvunzo Kimbayo, 34, was one of many hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled persecution in the Republic of Congo.

He and his family are now being resettled in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, as part of a Home Office and United Nations Gateway programme.

The former teacher, his wife, Therese, 29, and daughters Gloria, 6 and Felicite, 3, have been welcomed into the town along with 22 others through the Gateway Protection Programme.

Speaking through an interpreter Luvunzo said: "Our first impression of Scotland is that it is a place that will give us a better life.

"The first and foremost thing in our minds is we are in a place where there is peace."

Welcoming the family, Home Office minister Joan Ryan said: "It is so wonderful to see the efforts local people have gone to to make people feel welcome and part of the community."

All refugees on the programme receive two weeks of teaching on cultural differences from their continent.

Luvunzo said this had been helpful in making the move, although nothing could have prepared him for the cold Scottish climate.