DEFIANT campaigners have received a personal guarantee from the Government that their views on plans to house asylum seekers at Sittingbourne's Coniston Hotel will be taken seriously.

Immigration minister Beverley Hughes made the pledge during a meeting with protestors in London today.

Earlier the campaigners from the Sittingbourne Action Community in Kent delivered a letter and 7,000-signature petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair protesting against Home Office plans to use the London Road hotel as an asylum seeker induction centre.

The group of seven residents, councillors and businessmen traveled to London in search of guarantees from the Government that the scheme was not a foregone conclusion.

After handing over the petition in Downing Street, the party was joined by Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt (Lab) for a private half-hour meeting with Ms Hughes.

The group had six key questions to put to the Home Office minister. They would not reveal details of the discussions but emerged from the meeting with renewed hope.

Terry Brenand, of London Road, said: "It was a constructive meeting. We do think it is a proper consultation. At least she knows what is happening with the views of people in Sittingbourne."

Clive Eglinton, of Chalkwell Road, praised the role Mr Wyatt has played in raising the Coniston Hotel issue with Government.

Ms Hughes proposed February 28 as the cut-off date for the consultation period, but campaigners said they may need more time to ensure everyone has a chance to attend public meetings to air their views.

The campaigners had hoped to discuss possible alternative sites in Sittingbourne for an asylum centre with the minister, but ran out of time.