COUNCILLORS are being asked to release 14 houses for asylum seekers in Chester-le-Street.

The district council's executive has been asked to provide the accommodation as part of the authority's second contract with the Home Office.

All the costs associated with the rehousing of asylum seekers will be met by the Home Office.

Each district council has looked at its capacity to accept asylum seekers, taking into consideration housing stock, regeneration proposals and advice from police.

From the experience of the first contract, it is likely that up to 80 per cent of the asylum seekers will be single males.

It is therefore proposed that Chester-le-Street make available eight one-bedroom properties, four two-bedroom properties and two three-bedroom properties in the first year of the contract.

Clarification is still being sought regarding the distribution of vouchers for asylum seekers' basic living requirements.