IT'S a new year and a new beginning for campaigners fighting plans for an asylum seekers' centre at Lee-on-the-Solent.

The Daedalus Action Group is preparing to move into their new information centre in five days time.

However, their stay in their new seafront home next to Lee Printers could be short-lived after planning permission for the mobile cabin was refused last month.

Now DAG members are appealing against the decision and hope it will be overturned although planning guidelines state temporary buildings are not allowed on the seafront.

While the appeal is on-going campaigners are within their rights to use the information point.

Chairman John Beavis said the group was in talks with Gosport Council about other possible locations for the meeting point.

DAG members were forced to move their headquarters from their former premises next to Lee News in the High Street after the owner sold up.

"It's important for us to have a focal point so that we can offer a constant update of the campaign to members of the public from an easily accessible point," said Mr Beavis.

The Home Office is today maintaining its wall of silence on whether it intends to apply for planning permission for the centre at the Daedalus site.

Speculation is mounting in the seaside town that the government might try to bury the announcement when the findings of the Hutton Inquiry are made public later this month.

Mr Beavis said: "It would be nice if the Home Office could give us some answers so we could plan the way ahead.

"In the meantime we are doing as much as we can here. Everyone is determined to fight the centre and our determination is as strong as ever."

The Daily Echo is supporting DAG in its search for a new permanent public information point.

If you can help call The Echo's Fareham office on 01329 285503.