Sussex is home to more than 15,000 asylum seekers, Government figures reveal.

The bulk live in Brighton and Hove, where there are almost 6,400.

In East Sussex there are 5,000 while west of the county there lives just under 4,900.

Many have been relocated to the county from London boroughs or Kent, which has a refugee population of more than 160,000.

The figures were revealed amid disquiet from council bosses on Brighton and Hove Council.

They expressed concern that other authorities were adding to pressure for housing by placing homeless people in their area.

Brighton and Hove Tory councillor Lynda Hyde has called for action to prevent the towns becoming a "dumping ground" for other authorities.

She has also asked that priority for housing be given to local residents.

A spokesman for the Home Office said it aimed for a more even distribution of asylum seekers around he country to ease the burden on councils.

The issue of housing asylum seekers has stirred tensions in many towns.

The National Front tried to capitalise on growing discontent in May by organising a rally through Hastings.

But it failed to materialise after anti-Nazi campaigners threatened to stage a rival rally.