TOURISM in Blackpool could be devastated unless the influx of asylum seekers is stopped, hoteliers fear.

Hundreds of refugees are now staying in the town after being placed here by councils in South-east England.

Many are in accommodation within the council designated holiday area against local planning regulations.

Despite pleas to the Government from Blackpool Council to take action, refugees are continuing to arrive in the town.

And many hoteliers fear if numbers continue to rise their presence will deter holidaymakers from coming to Blackpool in the summer.

Hotelier Ken Turner said: "We have the utmost sympathy for the refugees. They have suffered a great deal in their own countries and don't need to go through any more hardship.

"But I have no sympathy for parasites who are using their plight to make profits for themselves.

"Blackpool has already been reported in the national press as being a town full of asylum seekers which is disastrous for our image. "Some hotels and guest houses see it as a short term way of making money, but in the long term it could be disastrous for the resort.

"Blackpool Council must force the Government to take action now before our holiday season is ruined."

Council leader Ivan Taylor accused the private agencies of "making a mockery" of attempts to regulate where refugees should be placed.

He said: "There are regulations but councils are bypassing these by using the agencies.

"The problem is they are then still under their responsibility rather than ours.

"A small group of Kosovan refugees are expected to arrive soon under the official system and they will be made welcome.

'But I will continue to press the Government to take action to stop refugees being dumped on us."

The council's Conservative leader Peter Callow urged him to act quickly.

"It's time the council stopped pussy-footing around and did something.

"They have known about this for a long time and they need to do something urgently before the holiday season starts."

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