TENSIONS flared outside the Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Airport on Thursday evening as two opposing groups gathered to protest and counter-protest the housing of Afghan families at the hotel.

The demonstration was called by a group identifying itself as Concerned Local Families, who voiced opposition to the UK Government’s relocation of Afghan nationals to the site.

Among its members were leaders of 'Voice of Wales', an online platform that challenges official immigration policy.

In response, people describing themselves as anti-racism campaigners, mostly from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and allied groups, staged a counter-demonstration.

The hotel is currently housing Afghan nationals who supported British forces during the war in Afghanistan and have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, known as Entitled Persons (EPs).

The Ministry of Defence selected the site as part of a relocation programme, with the first intake including 19 families, three couples, and one single person.

The arrangement is expected to last up to nine months while permanent housing is secured.

The protest began at 6pm on the access road leading to the hotel.

Protesters on one side (Image: NQ) People gathering outside the hotel (Image:........

© South Wales Argus