Villagers are hosting a party in Arncott on June 17 to celebrate victory after the Government scrapped plans to build an asylum accommodation centre on their doorstep.

Earlier this week, Immigration Minister Tony McNulty announced the move in Parliament, but said the Government was now investigating building a secure asylum removal centre at the site instead.

But for now, campaigners who fought against the Home Office's controversial proposal to house 750 asylum-seekers in a centre built on Ministry of Defence-owned land between Piddington and Arncott, for more than three years, plan to celebrate their success.

Bicester Action Group co-founders Dionne Arrowsmith and Sue Baxter and the town's MP Tony Baldry want everyone who has been involved in the campaign in any way to join them at Arncott village hall, from 8pm.

Mrs Arrowsmith said: "It's open to anyone who wants to go. It's to celebrate our victory, in which so many people have played a part.

"It's all about letting your hair down and celebrating what we have done -- it's a victory party, so bring along your Champagne."

Bicester Refugee Support group spokesman Rebecca Mitchell-Farmer said: "We're going to continue campaigning against this proposed centre.

"This is our worst fear about to be confirmed.

"We think it's important local people oppose this detention centre, because it's not right to lock people up."