People objecting to Government plans for an asylum seekers' accommodation centre are being asked to put their names to a campaign to send opposition direct to the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Dionne Arrowsmith, who is spearheading the campaign

Members of the Bicester Action Group, BAG, want people to sign coupons that will be hand-delivered to 10 Downing Street.

The deadline for signing the form is Wednesday, April 28, which coincides with the end of the 21 days Cherwell District Council was given to decide whether or not to take its case to the Court of Appeal after losing its judicial review in the High Court.

Cherwell councillors are due to debate the prospects of going to the Court of Appeal on Monday.

BAG founders Sue Baxter and Dionne Arrowsmith are urging people to get behind the campaign.

Mrs Baxter said: "It is more than a petition, it's about getting our message to the heart of the Government and showing the strength of feeling locally about accommodation centres.

"Thousands of bits of paper on a minister's desk is no joke."

Mrs Arrowsmith said the Government had not listened to expert opinion, an independent planning inspector's recommendation, opposition from local councils or local people.

She said: "To me, this is democracy gone badly wrong - we have gone through the democratic process and ideally accommodation centres should not be built.

"But it has been a pointless process. I think people should be fighting for democracy. If we let this happen what will be the next?

"We followed the correct democratic process and have done everything as we should.

"The only thing left is to take to the streets and be seen and heard - I'm quite happy to lead a march to London."

Bicester's MP Tony Baldry has backed the campaign. He said: "It's excellent news the action group is continuing to carry on and campaign on this issue. The High Court decision is not the end of the matter - the fact is the proposed centre is in the wrong place, it is the wrong policy and it won't work."

In a separate move, Mr Baldry has written to the Treasury to call for an independent audit before money is put forward. He believes the centre would not be cost effective.

Coupons can be posted to Bicester Action Group, c/o Arncott Emporium, 53 Woodpiece Road, Upper Arncott, Oxon, OX25 1PY. Or to overcome problems caused by the Oxford postal strike readers can drop off their coupon at the Oxford Mail office in Market Square, Bicester.

The action group, along with Mr Baldry, plan to hold a vigil at the site of the proposed centre, known as A-site, between Piddington and Arncott, on Saturday, April 24.

Anyone interested in taking part should call Sue Baxter on 01869 243275 or Dionne Arrowsmith on 01869 322769.