Two activist groups have voiced their anger over a barge that will home over 500 refugees that is set to arrive in Portland this summer.

Footage from July 8 shows members of Stand Up to Racism Dorset and No to the Barge gathering outside Portland port.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We as a community were only informed this April of a secretive agreement between the privately-owned port and the Home Office.

"Our local councils, MPs, councillors, and us, the residents, were never consulted to house 500 plus young male asylum seekers.

"We believe the Government has not adequately considered the harmful effects on all the services of our treasured seaside communities."

Two separate protests have been held today, by Stand Up to Racism Dorset and by the NO TO THE BARGE group; both groups are opposed to the plans.

Stand Up To Racism is holding a family-friendly 'Unity Demonstration', assembling at 11am outside the port gates at Castletown, and marching to Portland Hospital.

Meanwhile, members of the NO TO THE BARGE Facebook group held their own protest from noon on the same day. And confronted Police at the gates of Portland Port.

Billed as 'March to Portland Port', protestors marched towards the port to voice their anger at the plans.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We as a community were only informed this April of a secretive agreement between the privately-owned port and the Home Office.
"Our local councils, MPs, councillors, and us, the residents, were never consulted to house 500 plus young male asylum seekers.

"We believe the Government has not adequately considered the harmful effects on all the services of our treasured seaside communities."

It's believed the Bibby Stockholme could arrive at the Port this week following refit in Falmouth, Cornwall. It was move out of the dry dock on Friday afternoon.