An ongoing public inquiry into controversial plans for an asylum seeker accommodation centre in Oxfordshire is urging local people to put forward their opinions as soon as possible.

The government wants to house up to 750 asylum seekers on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land near Bicester while their applications for asylum are being processed.

The inquiry, which began in mid-December, is hearing representations from all sides of the argument over five days, spread over a two-month period.

The Bicester inquiry is the first into government proposals for large asylum seeker complexes.

We are actively seeking support to ensure that the public inquiry recommends the centre does not proceed Bicester Action Group

The first meeting attracted up to 100 protesters from the Bicester Action Group (BAG) - the next is scheduled for 18 February.

BAG is formed from local rural communities who oppose the accommodation centre.

The group said: "We believe the asylum centre will have a serious impact on Bicester and surrounding villages and are actively seeking support to ensure that the public inquiry recommends the centre does not proceed."

On 26 February, the inquiry's planning inspector will hear evidence against the centre from BAG, the Bicester Refugee Support group, Asylum Welcome and Banbury's MP Tony Baldry (Con).

But the centre is a key element in the government's reform of the asylum process and whatever conclusion the planning inspector reaches, the secretary of state has the final say.

Anyone else who wishes to give evidence is being urged to contact Cherwell District Council as soon as possible.