FOR one set of protesters, substitute another.

The Government's decision to abandon the idea of having an accommodation centre for asylum seekers near Bicester comes as no surprise. Since the number of asylum applications has plummeted in recent years, there is no longer a case for such places.

When the Home Office announced its policy U-turn at the weekend, it was thought that the Bicester centre might still go ahead. But it has now sensibly axed that proposal as well.

The Bicester protesters who fought a long campaign against it can feel triumphant. Yet again, we see the value of public opinion and people power.

Had it not been for them, and the support they received from MP Tony Baldry and local councillors, the centre would probably have been up and running by now, wasting thousands of pounds of public money.

The objectors were backed by numerous refugee organisations and in the end, their strong arguments have won the day.

However, the site is unlikely to have seen the last of protesters.

With the site now likely to become a detention centre for asylum seekers, we can expect the groups which have fought so strongly to close Campsfield House at Kidlington, to extend their activities to Bicester.

The Home Office's problems are far from over.