ASYLUM-seeking families are set to be housed in a Herefordshire hotel, according to MP Sir Bill Wiggin.

It was announced last month that the Talbot Hotel in Leominster is to be used as "contingency accommodation" for asylum seekers by the Home Office.

This would be in addition to the accommodation provided for up to 120 asylum seekers at Hereford's Three Counties Hotel in Belmont Road.

Currently closed to visitors, the 31-bed Talbot Hotel has recently had an agreement with the council to provide accommodation to homeless people.

Speaking after the announcement last month, North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill said he had "strong concerns" about the plans.

“I am not confident that Leominster has the infrastructure or the sort of accommodation that we would need and expect for housing asylum seekers. It does not have the social service provision and quality of infrastructure that can be found in larger cities," he said at the time.

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But in a new update this week, Sir Bill said he has spoken to the Minister for Immigration, the Home Office, and the chief executive of the council to voice his concerns over the plans.

"I have been assured by the Home Office that the plans are not yet set in stone," he said.

He said he still believes there is not the social service provision to take on so many people in Leominster at once and that he is sceptical about the hotel's suitability "given the current state of the Talbot".

But, he said, he understands that the proposed number of asylum seekers who may move to the town has been "significantly reduced" in response to his concerns.

"The Home Office has told me that they are looking to house families there, and not single men," Sir Bill said.

"If this is true then we must do everything that we can to make these women and children feel welcome."