Concerns about the continued use of Napier Barracks in Folkestone to house asylum seekers are expected to be addressed at a meeting next week.

The virtual conference has been organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) and will be attended by MP Damian Collins and leader of Kent County Council, Cllr Roger Gough.

Representatives from the Home Office, Kent Police, Migrant Help and KCC Public Health have also been invited to attend.

It comes as the military barracks are still being used to accommodate people seeking asylum in the UK, despite a number of issues at the site.

This includes a fire, arrests, Covid-19 outbreak and protests.

Inspections have also deemed the site unsuitable.

A spokeswoman for FHDC said: "We understand that our residents may still have questions about the continued use of the barracks in Folkestone and we want to bring together the Home Office and those involved in providing support services to provide the answers to those questions.

"It may not be possible to answer every question individually so our intention is that themes raised by residents will be discussed by the panel.

"We hope that the event will reassure our residents that despite not being involved in the decision to use Napier Barracks we are prepared to organise and lead this virtual meeting to ensure that our communities are provided with the answers they are seeking."

A similar meeting was organised last year, just days after the barracks were first set up to accommodate around 400 single adult men. There have been calls for the site to close ever since.

Questions are now requested ahead of the upcoming meeting and should be submitted by 5pm on Thursday, May 20 via the council website www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/napierbarracks/home-office or can be sent in writing to Committee Services, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY.

The meeting will then be held on Thursday, May 27 at 3.30pm.

Members of the public will be able to watch it by visiting bit.ly/YouTubeMeetings

For an in-depth look back at everything that has happened at the barracks since it was opened last September, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone