PROTESTERS fighting to prevent a new detention centre for failed asylum-seekers are to set up a camp near Salfords.

Up to 450 people are expected to pitch tents in a field north of Furzefield Wood, leading from Green Lane in Outwood.

Protest group No Borders UK has been granted a licence by Tandridge District Council allowing the sale of alcohol and the showing of documentary films at the site.

The group will stay for four days, from next Thursday to Sunday. Organisers, who are advising camp participants to park in central Salfords on their website, sent letters to surrounding residents, assuring them no disruption would be caused.

The letter said: "We expect the media and local authorities to distort the truth and present us as 'troublemakers'. Come and see for yourself, take part in our activities and see why we are here and what we want to achieve."

No Borders UK organised its campaign in opposition to Brook House, a 426-capacity detention centre under construction at Gatwick Airport. The airport already has an immigration removal centre, Tinsley House, where protesters will demonstrate on Saturday, September 22, from noon to 2pm.

The group, which was refused permission to stay on Crawley Borough Council land, will hold a welcome demonstration in Crawley town centre next Thursday and another next Friday at a Home Office building in East Croydon.

No protests are expected to take place in Surrey but extra police officers have been assigned to the area around the camp.

A spokeswoman for No Borders UK said police had been visiting farmers in the Salfords area, asking if the camp would be on their land. She said: "They have apparently been trying hard to stop this camp. This is simply a violation of people's right to protest and assembly."

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "The important thing is, although the organisation has got permission from the farmer who owns the field, the camp members are not one hundred per cent going to be there. Some other decisions are being played out, such as concerns around foot and mouth. It is not for sure they will be there."

Salfords and Sidlow parish councillor Jim Blackmore said: "I am perfectly happy they should come here and gather. I can't imagine it is going to be a problem as they are going to be demonstrating elsewhere."