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Councillors and MP Graham Stringer have complained about the way asylum seekers have been 'dumped' in private houses where there are no similar ethnic minority communities.

So far 149 males, 18 females and five others have been placed in Harpurhey between April and October 2000 from 15 different countries of origin.

Councillors say the small area is unable to support such a volume and diversity and are concerned about a build-up of racist far right activity including racist graffiti.

Local people have complained to councillors about the lack of support asylum seekers are receiving to help them access essential health and social services.

Council offices and advice services have also found and increase in the numbers of asylum seekers living in sub standard private housing and needing help.

Councillors complain that almost all properties being used by asylum seekers are houses of multiple occupation and are in breach of local planning regulations.

Councillors have now called for no more asylum seekers to be placed in private rented properties.

There are also concerns over the risks of TB because of the high-risk categories being dispersed and the unplanned numbers of children being sent into local schools.

Councillors argue this would not happen in local authority accommodation because of partnership working.

They are concerned that the benefits of cultural diversity that dispersal can bring will be reversed if hard-pressed schools with low ethnic minorities are expected the receive large numbers of refugee children.