An asylum seekers' accommodation centre should be built in Oxford rather than a rural location outside Bicester, according to support groups.

Asylum Welcome, based in Cowley Road, Oxford, and Bicester Refugee Support say an urban location would be better than the Ministry of Defence site near Piddington the Home Office has chosen for a centre housing 750 people.

Their comments come just a week before a public inquiry starts.

Other organisations opposed to the centre outside Bicester include Bicester Action Group, and Cherwell district and Oxfordshire county councils.

Sharon Rustemier, of Bicester Refugee Support, said: "While we would welcome and support asylum seekers into our community, doing it this way is a big mistake.

"The size, location and regime of the proposed centre are wholly inappropriate for meeting the needs of asylum seekers."

Sam Clarke, chairman of Asylum Welcome, said: "If you want to house asylum seekers they should live in smaller groups close to existing services.

"There are other sites the Government could have investigated in Oxford which would have achieved a better result."

Mr Clarke said putting the centre in the countryside outside Bicester meant refugees would become isolated and institutionalised, and be unable to get access to legal advice and proper support from family or friends.

The public inquiry is due to start on December 10 at Cherwell District Council's offices in Bodicote, Banbury.