Inside Bibby Stockholm: The huge barge that'll house 500 migrants in the UK on Portland

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The Bibby Stockholm barge has arrived on Portland. Credit: PA Images

The Bibby Stockholm barge has arrived on Portland this morning, 18 July.

The vessel is set to house hundreds of migrants and has undergone an assessment and refurbishment in Falmouth.

It has been manoeuvred along the coastline by the tug Mercia and has pulled into Portland Port.

Protestors gathered as the barge arrived - with concerns around whether the area had the proper infrastructure to support hundreds of extra people.

The vessel will house 506 men who are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.

The barge is part of a series of schemes from the UK Government aimed at moving asylum seekers out of costly hotel accommodation.

The Home Office says asylum seeker hotels cost the British public £6 million a day.

Dorset Council opposed the idea when it was first proposed, but had to give way to the Home Office.

These pictures reveal what the inside of the barge looks like...

A look inside the lounge of the Bibby Stockholm. Credit: PA
Inside the Bibby Stockholm. Credit: PA
The barge is set to be used for at least 18 months. Credit: PA Images
It's not known what the vessel will look like when the refit is complete Credit: PA Images
Some of the facilities available on board the vessel Credit: PA Images

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