Protests took place outside an Erskine hotel this weekend following the arrival of asylum seekers at the site.

The refugees – all men aged between 18 and 40 – are being given a temporary home at the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel at a rate of around 20 per week until the 174-bed capacity is reached.

Fears have been raised by some local residents that the new arrivals could put added strain on services such as health, which are already under significant pressure.

On Sunday, members of far-right organisation Patriotic Alternative (PA) held a demonstration calling for the refugees to be removed from the hotel.

A counter-protest, organised by campaign group Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) in partnership with the Paisley and Clydebank Trades Councils, also took place.

During the demonstrations, a man was arrested for reportedly breaching his bail conditions and another was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for an alleged hate crime.

Kenny Smith, an organiser with PA, told The Gazette: "There were about 150 demonstrators for the 'Erskine Says No' protest, so we were very pleased.

"Around 110 of them were locals and I think they were outraged that there were left-wing extremists and thugs who, on two occasions, attempted to attack the 'Erskine Says No' protesters.

"The local people need to keep raising their voices and make the Home Office listen."

A spokesperson for SUTR said: "We are delighted that over 150 people from the local community and neighbouring areas joined the counter-protests against neo-Nazi group PA in Erskine.

"Their attempt to stir up hatred against asylum seekers was thwarted as they abandoned their protest after 90 minutes, not without two fights breaking out within their ranks first.

"Anti-racists need to continue working to ensure the far-right don't have any spaces to capitalise on the cost-of-living crisis to try to grow, while stepping up the fight for refugee rights and against the damaging, dehumanising policies of the Home Office."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The welfare of asylum seekers in our care is of the utmost importance and any attempts to fuel resentment towards them are completely unacceptable.  

"Whenever we seek to use sites for asylum accommodation, we engage with the local police and other stakeholders to identify any community tensions.  

"We continually review the security at asylum accommodation sites with providers." 

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "One man was arrested for breaching bail conditions and one man was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a hate crime offence."