More than 2,500 protesters have taken part in a demonstration against plans to accomodate asylum seekers in a former naval airbase in Hampshire.

Up to 400 single men could be housed at HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent, near Gosport.

People living nearby say their community could not cope with the influx of asylum seekers - many demonstrators carried banners saying "welcome to Lee-on-Sangatte".

A series of speeches was given at the demonstration by people campaigning to persuade the government to change its mind.

We have a duty as a civilised country to honour that process and to give them shelter Alison Whitting

One protester told the BBC: "We are a bit upset about 400 single men especially being put in this area with no jobs and no money - and we are supposed to support them."

Another said: "I don't feel these people are refugees at all.

"They are coming here for economic reasons and no other."

But other local residents defended the need for a careful discussion of the issues.

Alison Whitting, who lives nearby, said: "These are asylum seekers - they are genuine refugees who are trying to enter through the due legal process.

"We have a duty as a civilised country to honour that process and to give them shelter."

Numbers swelled

The open-air protest at Marine Parade West was held after an original meeting called by local Conservative MP Peter Viggers was cancelled.

Mr Viggers' meeting was planned for a hall near the Lee-on-Solent site which could hold 250 people, but was cancelled when it became clear that more than 2,000 were likely to attend.

The alternative meeting at 1000 GMT on Saturday was then organised by the Daedalus Action Group.

Mr Viggers said he would attend the alternative meeting, as a "concerned resident".