Campaigners from Lee-on-the-Solent, fighting plans for an asylum seekers' centre, yesterday took a 32,000-name petition to Downing Street. Daily Echo reporter Sin Davies accompanied the residents as they took the Lee campaign to the seat of government...

They blew their whistles and held high their banners. This was the day that the people of Lee-on-the-Solent and surrounding area made their feelings about plans for an asylum centre known to the government. In bright yellow baseball caps the 200 campaigners descended on Tony Blair's lair, Number 10 Downing Street.

Despite the early start on a chilly Tuesday morning residents from Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, and Fareham boarded a convoy of coaches to make the two-and-a-half hour trip to London. Among the convoy was a coach from Barfoot and Sons, that had been laid on by the Daily Echo.

For everyone it was more than worth it.

They lined the pavement just yards from the front door of Number 10. The whistle blowing, yellow clad crowd could not be missed winning the support of passing motorists and the praise of passers-by.

Campaigners stood and watched as the weighty 32,000 signature petition was delivered by action group leaders.

The result of weeks of work by volunteers was handed over signed, sealed and delivered at the famous front door in a bid to force a political U-turn on plans to house 400 asylum-seekers at Daedalus.

Two groups including residents were accompanied by Gosport MP Peter Viggers and his Fareham counterpart Mark Hoban MP to hand over the petition.

The protest was good-natured and passed off peacefully drawing only a token police presence. Afterwards Mr Viggers commended the group for their efforts.

He said: "I think it is a credit to the residents of Lee-on-the-Solent that even when faced with something that could devastate their community they manage to come here full of enthusiasm and in good spirits to fight it."

He told protesters: "You should be proud of yourselves. When deciding whether to submit an application the Home Office has to make sure they take notice of public opinion and today you have showed what that is. Well done."

Among the crowd on the pavement outside much of the talk was of the same incredulity that any of them were there in the first place.

The demonstration at Downing Street comes after a march through Lee-on-the-Solent town centre that attracted about 7,000 locals.

For Maurice Finch it was the first demonstration he had ever been on in his 82 years.

He said: "I didn't think I would ever be doing something like this but that's how strongly I feel about it. We just can't let this happen. Today has been a wonderful occasion for us to show them how we feel."

His words were echoed by John Matthew, 64, from Twickenham who joined the demonstration.

He said: "I came here because I was moving to Lee when this happened. I don't want to see a lovely seaside town get ruined like this."

Also among the lively, good-natured protest was a smattering of young faces who had been motivated to make the trip.

Claire Green, 22, from Lee, said: "I think it's just great the way people have come together today. It's obviously something that should make them think."

Accompanying the petition was a letter to the Prime Minister pleading with him to throw out the plan to house 400 male asylum seekers on the former air base.

Tony Blair was also invited to Lee-on-the-Solent to see for himself what effect the centre would have on residents there. Chairman of the action group John Beavis said: "We hope he takes up the offer as we hope Beverley Hughes would so they can appreciate the effect the centre would have in Lee-on-the-Solent.

"Today has been symbolic for the residents, we have come here to show how strongly we feel about these plans and how we must stop them in their tracks."

Shaun Cully, leader of Gosport council, who also made the trip to London, said: "Today has really been for the residents, for them to show the government how strongly they feel.

"I think it has been good for them and the campaign. Now what we want is the government to listen to what is being said."

THE TEXT OF THE LETTER ACCOMPANYING THE PETITIONS:

Dear Prime Minister

This petition contains over 32,000 signatures (including those of Iain Duncan Smith MP and Oliver Letwin MP) supporting a village of only 7,000 in their protest (which has the unanimous support of the Members and Officers of both Gosport & Fareham Borough Councils and Hampshire County Council) against the proposal to place 400 new Asylum Seekers every 6 - 8 weeks in their already under-resourced predominantly retirement/dormitory area in the heart of many Military and high profile Civil installations. This proposal is contrary to the Home Office's own guidelines and has been rejected by the Refugee Council and others supporting Asylum Seekers.

Local residents cannot understand how such a policy can be forced upon them without due consideration or consultation. Lee-on-the-Solent is totally unsuitable for an Asylum Centre, it lacks the facilities and the infrastructure to cope with such a massive influx; neither does it have the ethnic and cultural support needed. Both the Refugee Council and the SE Regional Assembly support our stand. Why then does the Home Office not listen and abandon this ill-conceived proposal?

The strength of local feeling should not be underestimated, local residents are fighting to prevent the destruction of their community. This has been vividly illustrated by significant protests and other action taken to date:

Feb 15 - Protest rally at Lee-on-the-Solent attended by 2,500 people.

Feb 20 - Deputations presented to Gosport Borough Council.

Feb 20- Gosport Borough Council voted unanimously to support the campaign against an Asylum Centre at Daedalus.

Feb 21- Fareham Borough Council voted unanimously to support the campaign against an Asylum Centre at Daedalus.

Feb 23 - Protest march at Lee-on-the Solent attended by 7,000 people.

Mar 10 - protest meeting held at Gosport Town Hall after meeting with Home Office officials.

Throughout, the campaign has attracted a high degree of publicity both locally and nationally.

Local information centre and website have been established to provide up to date information.

Mar 28 - Shadow Transport Minister, Tim Collins MP, visited Daedalus site.

Apr 3 - Shadow Home Secretary, Oliver Letwin, visited Lee-on-the-Solent in support of our cause.

April 8 - Presentation of petition to Downing Street.

Local residents fully support the current Home Office proposals to establish Asylum Centres in Albania thereby ensuring only genuine refugees are allowed into the United Kingdom. The economics of such a proposal makes so much more good sense.

We therefore urge the Prime Minister to fully acquaint himself with the proposal to use the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent before a decision is taken and to drop the proposal forthwith.

We invite you the Prime Minister to visit this typical retirement seaside village to assess for yourself just how inappropriate the proposal is.

In view of the strength of feeling and the overwhelming number of people who have signed the petition it is requested that the Prime Minister responds to this letter.

John Beavis(Chairman)and Derek Kent(Vice chairman)