THE first wave of asylum seekers is coming to Bury next week.

Empty council houses have been prepared to house refugees from any part of the world who need sanctuary.

As first reported in the Bury Times, Bury has agreed to take 13 asylum seekers plus their families every month for a year. Like other local authorities, it has been asked to "take its share" of the many thousands of applicants coming into this country because the South East of England, where the vast majority arrive, can no longer cope.

Mr Terry Dafter, head of strategy and planning with Bury social services, confirmed that the first arrivals should be here next week, but the situation was changing daily. "We don't yet know the exact number and their country of origin, so we cannot finalise the details yet," he said.

Eight houses have been put aside for asylum seekers in various parts of the borough. Bosses will try to house applicants in an area where other people of similar background live.

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