CALLS have been made for a fairer dispersal of asylum seekers after it was revealed that Bolton has the fifth highest concentration of all towns and cities in the country.

Figures from the Home Office show that in the third quarter of 2015 there were 992 asylum seekers living in Bolton.

Of these, 981 are in what is known as ‘dispersed accommodation’ — with the other 11 only receiving funding to live on.

The figure — which covers July to September last year — represents a rise of 61 people in Bolton from the previous quarter (931).

It also indicates a sharp rise of 204 compared with the same period in the previous year.

Housing for asylum seekers — people who are in the process of applying to be recognised as having fled persecution in their countries — is provided by international service company Serco in Bolton.

Data from across the country and revealed that the entire top 10 is based in either Northern England, Scotland or Wales.

This includes three in Greater Manchester with Bolton joined by second place Rochdale and 10th place Oldham.

Last year, Little Lever and Darcy Lever councillor Sean Hornby wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron to request that a fairer system for placing asylum seekers was brought in.

He has now been joined in that call by Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi — who said that while she is proud of Bolton’s history of helping people flee war and persecution — the current system is not fair.

She said: “I totally agree that the distribution of asylum seekers should be done fairly and equally across the country.

“You do not see too many asylum seekers living in the southern shires or leafy areas where Tory MPs are based.

“It is only fair that all local authorities take a fair share and while we are very proud of Bolton’s history of taking people in I believe the Government should take an active role in distributing migrants on a fair and equal basis — including in Mr Cameron’s constituency of Whitney.”

The Home Office said it would work with councils that raise concerns about asylum dispersal.

A spokesman said: "Asylum seekers are housed where there is appropriate accommodation available.

“Agreements between the Government and participating local authorities are voluntary and have been in place since 2000.

“We review these arrangements regularly and all asylum intake has to be approved by the local authority involved.

He added: "We work closely with local authorities to ensure that the impact of asylum dispersals is considered and acted upon.

"We will work with any local authority that raises concerns about asylum dispersal."