I'm amazed...young Afghan can't believe his luck as Britain pays for his stay in country house hotel

“Two weeks ago was living in the bushes in Calais. When got to the hotel could not believe it’

- ROBERT KELLAWAY

A YOUNG migrant who crossed the channel in a small boat 10 days ago says he is "amazed" at being housed in the luxury of a four-star country house hotel.

Amin Khan, 20, who was living rough in Calais until two weeks ago was astonished at the lavish accommodation provided in the UK.

He is one of more than 100 asylum seekers staying at the Macdonald Kilhey Court in Standish, near Wigan courtesy of the British taxpayer.

The hotel, which stands in 10 acres of magnificent grounds overlooking three lakes, has been leased by the Government and is being operated by Serco.

Known locally as Wigan's plushest hotel, it is part of the reason the UK is spending £8million a day on accommodation for refugees.

Amin, a genuine asylum seeker fleeing death at the hands of the Taliban in Kunar, Afghanistan, expected basic accommodation.

He had not heard of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset but on having it described to him said he would "of course" have been happy to live aboard it. He explained: "All I hope for is somewhere safe. Somewhere warm and dry, yes, and clean, but mostly safe.

"Two weeks ago I was living in the bushes in Calais. This was not safe. When I got to the hotel I could not believe it. I was so happy, it really amazed me.

"This hotel has so much luxury.

It has much more than I expected.

It is safe and warm and comfortable. It made me feel like a king.