A Rayleigh company which finds homes for asylum seekers today insisted it had no plans to place them in south Essex.

Clearsprings Management, based on the Brooke Road industrial estate in Rayleigh, has grown "significantly" since it was set up nearly three years ago.

The company whose chairman is Graham King - whose family businesses include two caravan parks on Canvey - now employs 300 people.

It was awarded a contract by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) to be an "accommodation provider" for asylum seekers.

Carin King, spokesman for the company, said none of its asylum seekers were housed in Essex.

She said Clearsprings follows NASS guidelines on where to house asylum seekers and places them in 35 locations throughout the UK such as Bradford, Leeds, Manchester and Pendle.

Mrs King refuted suggestions the company would use the two caravan parks on Canvey to house asylum seekers.

She said: "Nothing has changed or will change - there are no plans to house asylum seekers either at Kings Park nor at Thorney Bay Park. The successful concept of Kings Park to house residents over 50 in a quiet and excellently maintained residential park with good service and the latest standards of quality homes will remain."

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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