THE number of asylum seekers living in Blackburn and Darwen has almost halved in the past year, according to government figures.

But Janet Anderson, Darwen's Labour MP, said more should be done to reduce the number even further.

New statistics from the Home Office show that 331 asylum seekers now live in the borough, compared with 657 this time last year.

Applications for asylum across the UK fell dramatically in 2003 as a result of the tough measures introduced by the Government including legislation and border controls in France, the Home Secretary David Blunkett announced today.

The United Nations also believes improved safety in a number of countries across the world has also contributed to the reduction.

Including dependants such as children and spouses, the figure was 61,050 for the year, compared with 103,080 in 2002.

Blackburn with Darwen has the largest portion of East Lancashire's asylum seekers. In Burnley the figure is 35, Pendle has 40 while Hyndburn has five asylum seekers. A Home Office spokesman said the government and local councils worked out a figure for the number of asylum seekers each borough could take.

The number is based on a council's ability to cope, the profiles of existing communities. Blackburn with Darwen's figure was said to be bigger because it had agreed to house asylum seekers as part of a North West consortium.

Private companies also house asylum seekers in the borough. Last year Blackburn with Darwen Council agreed to take 700.

Mrs Anderson said: "I am pleased that the figures are coming down but they are not down far enough. If Burnley and Pendle are taking 40 or less why is Blackburn with Darwen taking so many?

"This is not good for community relations in the town. If people are in genuine fear of death or persecution I am the first to say we should provide them with shelter.

"But many are economic migrants and not refugees."

Mrs Anderson said the fact that she had been asked for advice from an asylum seeker from the Czech Republic highlighted the problem. She added: "The Czech Republic enters the European Union on May 1 so why was he seeking asylum and what happens after his country does join?

"We need to welcome genuine asylum seekers but those who don't have a case should be turned around quickly and sent home."

A Blackburn with Darwen spokesman said: "The council is now able to exercise greater control over dispersals within the private sector and has made representations to ensure that the overall level of dispersal of asylum seekers within the borough remains within the agreed guideline figure."

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "We need to disperse asylum seekers. In a town the size of Burnley 35 seems to be a reasonable number."