PLANS to convert a nursing home into a hostel for asylum seekers has provoked a storm of protest.

More than 800 people have signed a petition objecting to the proposal for the Lakeside Gardens, in Station Road, Columbia, Washington.

Sunderland city councillors have deferred deciding on the plans in order to get more information from the applicant, Aeon Developments.

When the plans were first unveiled last month, protestors daubed the windows and there was an arson attack on the premises, believed to be racially motivated.

A report to the Washington development control committee says there are 46 bedrooms in the building, with up to 97 residents expected to stay in the hostel - including single people and families.

About 30 staff are expected to be employed on the premises.

The home will restrict the length of stay to six months after which residents will either be returned to their home country or to other accommodation.

Protestors are opposed to the scheme on the grounds they believe that a large number of transient people living in one building will have a detrimental impact on the community.

They also say the hostel could lead to conflict with local youths and would put a strain on schools in the area.