ASYLUM seekers staying in a Bolton hotel have moved out.

Up to 30 people were placed in the Premier Inn by the Macron Stadium by Serco, the company in charge of finding housing for asylum seekers in the North West, as a temporary measure.

A spokesman has confirmed the group were moved sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon. He refused to reveal where they have gone to.

The Bolton News reported on Wednesday how the use of hotels by Serco was criticised by charity Refugee Watch, who said private providers had not found enough properties for asylum seekers to move into.

However Chris Flood, Serco’s contract director for Compass — the Home Office scheme which covers the placement of asylum seekers — said problems in Syria and Iraq had led to an influx of refugees coming to Britain.

He said: “Given international events, there are currently more people looking to the UK for asylum, having fled from the many conflicts and problems around the world.

“We are now consulting urgently with local authorities and the Home Office to see how people can best be looked after in line with our contract and the government’s statutory duties.

“We fully understand both the challenges that local communities face and how vulnerable these people can be.

"Our priority is at all times to make sure that they are safe and secure and are treated with dignity and respect.”