There is no movement in or out of asylum accommodation at the Cresta Court Hotel after a number of cases of the contagious condition scabies.

The Church Street hotel is in use for up to 300 asylum seekers who are awaiting caseworker consideration as of a little more than one month ago.

According to a source at least one of the residents arrived with scabies which spread to others who arrived at around the same time.

The result of microscopic mites under the skin, it is spread by close contact with an infected individual, but the intensely itchy rashes resulting from it are treatable.

Serco, the operator, and Trafford Council, whose Public Health professionals are working with Serco, said the number of cases is "a small number".

A Serco spokesperson said: "All of the necessary steps are being taken in line with NHS recommendations to stop the spread and anyone experiencing symptoms is being asked to see a GP who is at the hotel.

"Additionally all movement has been stopped in and out of the hotel during the outbreak."

A Trafford Council spokesperson said: "It is a common condition that our team often deal with in a range of settings."

The Cresta Court Hotel is at least the second hotel in the area to be used as asylum accommodation after another towards the start of last year.

There is a big backlog of tens of thousands of cases all across the country and the use of hotels comes at a cost of millions of pounds per day.

There is a commitment by central government to cease the use of hotels but the Home Office said the system is under "unprecedented strain".

The Altrincham and Sale West MP Connor Rand asked the Asylum Minister Angela Eagle for a resolution to the situation "as quickly as possible" amid petitions, protests and counter-protests in recent weeks.

For information on scabies go to nhs.uk/conditions/scabies/.

This article is by Jack Tooth. He is available at jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk.