A BOROUGH that faced asylum-seeker overload two years ago has been assured it will not have to cope with another influx of immigrants.

New figures published by the Home Office revealed that at the end of June 2004 there were 350 asylum-seekers living in Blackburn with Darwen.

It was half the agreed quota the council has with the Government - one for every 200 members of the borough's population.

But figures show there are now 90 less living in the borough than at the same time last year.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Figures reflect the fact fewer asylum-seekers are coming to Britain.

"But just because Blackburn with Darwen is below its quota, it doesn't mean there will be a sudden influx of new applicants."

In Burnley, there are just 30 asylum-seekers, down 10 on 2003, while Hyndburn is home to fewer than five - the lowest number recorded by the Home Office for its public statistics.

Pendle's number has dropped from 60 to 25 in the last year, while neither Rossendale nor the Ribble Valley have registered as having any at all.

In 2002, Blackburn with Darwen Council found itself on collision course with the Government after it emerged nearly 100 extra asylum-seekers had been sent to the area - despite the fact it had only received financial help for its agreed quota of 700.

And, backed by Darwen MP Janet Anderson, the council won its battle for a freeze on new immigrants sent.

Blackburn with Darwen then chose to become a 'dispersal' council for asylum-seekers as it guaranteed extra cash to provide for the services they would use.

Many councils that decided not to agree to follow suit still have asylum seekers in their areas but are given no warning of their arrival or support for their services - as they are homed via the private sector.