SOCIAL Services chiefs in Kent fear a High Court ruling could leave them having to find millions of pounds more to support teenage asylum seekers.

The county council said it was looking at the implications of a judgement which will compel councils to meet the costs of so-called unaccompanied minors after they reach 18.

While social services authorities can claim back the extra costs of supporting child asylum seekers from the Home Office, no support is available once they become adults.

The High Court has ruled that local councils must pay for their care when they become 18 and that teenage refugees should be treated in the same way as local children.

Kent has the highest number of child asylum seekers in the country and KCC's social services support about 1,100, providing both welfare and accommodation.

While the number of new arrivals has been slowing in recent months, of those already here, about 800 are over the age of 16. It is this group which could land KCC with significantly higher costs.

Cllr Peter Lake (Con), KCC's cabinet member for social care, said: "The costs involved could run into tens of millions of pounds. Although we have been pressing the Government on how this is going to be met, we have had no indication the costs involved will be met by central government. We will only be able to do this with financial help."

Kent has a special unit to help unaccompanied minors, which to date has supported some 3,000 child refugees.

The High Court ruled after a challenge by Hillingdon Council, which covers Heathrow Airport and has had similar difficulties to Kent. It has about half the number of children and has already estimated the ruling could cost it £5 million.