CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an asylum-seeker centre at Lee-on-the-Solent say the government has misled them over figures.

Residents say they are concerned that if the accommodation centre does get the go-ahead, asylum seekers who are granted refugee status will remain in the village.

They claim they were told by the Home Office that on average about 20 per cent of applicants are granted refugee status.

However, at the meeting between Fareham Council bosses and Home Office officials on Friday it was revealed that the figure was up to a third.

Campaigners say that the rise would have a major impact on the surrounding area, as it was quite likely that the successful applicants would want to remain in the locality.

Chairman of the Daedalus Action Group John Beavis said: "If we take the number of asylum seekers who will be processed through the centre every year, then 1,000 will be granted refugee status.

"Add to that the likelihood that they will then bring their families over to live with them and we are talking big numbers, particularly in the context of Lee-on-the-Solent."

His concerns were echoed by Fareham Council leader Sean Woodward, who said that the figures would impact on local services.

"We assume that if successful in their application, then they could well bring their families over, as you would expect.

"If they then wanted to remain in the area, then they would be perfectly entitled to pitch up to this council building or Gosport Town Hall and ask for housing.

"Because they are families that would make them a priority group but between our two authorities we already have thousands on our waiting list so any more would be impossible to cope with."

Project leaders for the controversial 400-bed centre at Daedalus have said the decision over whether to press ahead with the planning application will be made soon.