Families are fleeing Linton-on-Ouse and shunning its school over fears of a 1,200-man asylum camp at the old RAF base

Labour has assembled a £150million war chest to convert former military bases into asylum accommodation, with Linton-on-Ouse — a North Yorkshire village of around 700 residents — set to receive up to 1,250 male asylum seekers at the old RAF base. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp visited on Friday, warning the plan would make the village two-thirds male asylum seekers and raising direct concerns about residents' safety.

Families are already pulling children from the local school, and "to let" signs are multiplying as residents who can leave do so.

Those who own their homes are trapped: locals told reporters they fear they will be unable to sell even if they want to.

A migrant accommodation block would loom directly over White Rose Close, with occupants able to see into neighbouring homes and gardens — and the camp gates are a short walk from a children's playground.