Organisers say 8,000 people took part in the protest

Organisers of the protest at Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, said an estimated 8,000 people attended the hour-long march on Sunday, although police were unable to confirm numbers.

The residents were marching against Home Office plans to turn the former naval airbase HMS Daedalus into an asylum centre.

Leading campaigner Tim Astill, 34, said "We want to let people know how strongly we feel about this issue.

'Community passion'

"All kinds of people are here. We have young and old, Asians and Chinese because this is not a racial issue.

"It is a bitterly cold day and to get so many people turn out just shows the passion within our community."

The last time residents demonstrated against the plans more than 2,500 people turned out.

Local residents opposed to the scheme are concerned that the arrival of 400 single male asylum-seekers for periods of six weeks could increase crime in the area.

They also claim the area does not have the facilities to provide medical care for the asylum-seekers.