BLACKBURN is to home more than 125 asylum seekers over the next five years, it was revealed today.

Already, more than 20 single and six families of asylum seekers have landed in the borough, with many more on the way.

The news comes the day after Abdul Waheed, who escaped Afghanistan after he was threatened by the infamous Talibhan, today said he dreamed of becoming part of the Blackburn community.

In Blackburn, there are Palestinian, Kosovar, Algerian, Russian, Pakistani, Zimbabwean, Somalian, Iranian, Afghan, Libyan, Yemeni and Polish asylum seekers.

The borough also housed refugees displaced from Kosovar during the Balkans war. Most them of them have returned home. Nationwide, more than 14,000 asylum seekers placed around the country to try and relieve the burden on London and the South East have gone astray -- with most returning to the capital.

Coun Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for citizens rights, said: "The council is committed to providing 125 places over a five year period.

"We have received the bulk of the number we expected and are continuing to support people coming into the borough.

"Many of them have come from areas ravaged by war and Blackburn with Darwen is only too happy to extend a warm Lancashire welcome to these people and offer our traditional hospitality in order to make their lives easier and happier."

A spokesman for Hyndburn Council said: "We have been asked to make provision for asylum seekers but, as yet, we have not had any indications as or when they arrive. We would be given notice of when they would be coming.

"A problem across the country is getting them to stay in areas once the arrive. Many try to go back to London."

Keith Best, from the Immigration Advisory Society, said: "The whole system is in meltdown and needs sorting. More need to be done to keep people in the areas where they are sent. We are in danger of losing people and youngsters altogether. If we don't know where they are, what can we do to help them?" A spokesman for the National Asylum Support Service, said: "It is a problem but not all over the country but many people are just pleased to be living somewhere safe, as is the case in Blackburn."

Pendle and Burnley is also home to asylum seekers of various nationalities -- with Hyndburn Council also making preparations to take some in.

The Ribble Valley was also home to refugees from Kosovo.