A PORTLANDER is set to ask the High Court for the green light to challenge the Home Office over the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers.

Carralyn Parkes is bringing legal action against the department over the use of the barge docked in Portland Port.

Ms Parkes, who is also the Mayor of Portland but intends to bring the challenge in a personal capacity, has argued the Government requires planning permission to be used.

Lawyers on her behalf are expected to argue that the barge is essentially a permanent structure, with connections for people to get on and off, as well as for utilities.

At Tuesday's hearing, the lawyers will ask Mr Justice Holgate to give the go-ahead for a full legal challenge.

With a capacity of more than 500, the Government was hoping that use of the Bibby Stockholm, together with former military bases, would help reduce the amount it is spending on hotel bills for asylum seekers waiting for claims to be processed.

However, the first asylum seekers placed on board Bibby Stockholm in August were removed days later after tests revealed Legionella - the bacteria which can cause the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease.

The hearing in London is due to begin at 10.30am.