A group fighting Government proposals for an asylum accommodation centre has urged people not to turn to extremist political groups.

The calls came after a High Court judge rejected a bid to stop the centre being built near Bicester.

Mr Justice Collins dismissed the case, brought by Cherwell District Council, to stop a 750-person accommodation centre being built at surplus Ministry of Defence land, known as A Site, between Piddington and Arncott.

Following Tuesday's ruling, far-right group the National Front claimed the judge's decision to allow the Government to push ahead with the controversial centre had led to a rise in the party's popularity.

The group's claims cannot be substantiated, but National Front member James Starkey said he had been inundated with requests to join the ultra-nationalist party -- from people as far away as Witney.

He also pledged to stand candidates in June's district council and European elections.

Sue Baxter, co-founder of Bicester Action Group, which was set up to fight the accommodation centre, condemned extreme groups -- including the National Front.

She said: "We are not about extremism in any direction. What we are looking for is people to voice their opinions about these centres and the asylum system on behalf of both communities -- those that are here and those they intend to bring in."

A spokesman for the Oxfordshire branch of the Anti-Nazi League, which campaigns against fascist and racist groups, said: "I would say whatever anxieties people in Bicester are feeling about asylum seekers don't turn to a fascist organisation, because it will lead to far more harm and suffering in the town."

Referring to the decision, Mr Starkey, of Barry Avenue, Bicester, said: "Immediately it happened we were overjoyed as it has gone in our favour. Our phones have not stopped ringing with people asking to join -- me and two others did not get to bed until 2am."