HUNDREDS of protesters against an asylum centre at Throckmorton packed Pershore High School's main hall to discuss tactics.

Chairman, county councillor Liz Tucker, asked them to flood the Home Office with personal letters of objection, and pledge help and financial support to the fighting committee - PACT.

MP Peter Luff revealed plans to employ London solicitors to send out letters to all prospective asylum centre management bidders, including Group 4 Falck and Securicor.

He said: "We hope to warn them off by telling them if anything goes wrong at all that affects us we will take legal action. It will cost us money initially but might prove a very good investment."

Mr Luff also revealed that he was shortly to go on a fact-finding mission to Rotterdam where officials manage floating asylum centres off the mainland.

He said: "If the government wants to isolate these people, floating asylum centres could be set up off the coasts all around Britain, which would be much cheaper and would be an option now, without having to involve the planning process."

John Huband from Ashton-under-Hill asked the committee last Friday if they had the stomach to arrange poll-tax-type protests.

Liz Tucker said the option would be seriously considered, which found favour with the near 300 audience.

Sir Michael Spicer MP said: "PACT has done a magnificent job so far and I pledge my total support. The government is hell-bent on building these three centres in rural areas because Labour members of parliament will not have them in Labour controlled seats and towns."

Detailed plans for the asylum centre are not expected to be lodged until late July, after which a 16-week period of consultation should follow, with an environmental assessment statement.

Wychavon District Council officers will be liaising with the other two councils earmarked for asylum centres near Nottingham and Banbury to gathering information.

For details about letters, offers of help, and ideas for demonstrations, contact Liz Tucker on 01386 462441 or any other member of PACT, which includes the chairmen of Pinvin, Hill and Moor, Bishampton and Throckmorton and Wyre Piddle Parish Councils.