THE eldest son of a family facing deportation is in hiding in the Bury area, living with a friend.

And this week Patrick Jankowiak (19) contacted the Bury Times to plead for his family to be allowed to stay in Bury were they have lived for two years.

Patrick was at his girlfriend's house when police and immigration officers turned up at his family's home in Goldfinch Drive, two weeks ago.

His father Andrew (46), mum Elizabeth (40) and brother Jack (16) are now being kept in a London holding centre awaiting forced removal to Poland.

Speaking exclusively to the BT, Patrick said: "My father rang in the morning and said that the police and immigration were there. My first thought was to go back home but then I thought I would be able to help them more if I stayed in Bury."

Patrick is now seeking legal advice in a bid to stay in the country.

"I can't believe what has happened," he said. " My family and I are in a desperate situation. Why are they being forced to leave? I cannot live without my family but I cannot go back to Poland," he said.

Patrick's family fled to England in 2001 as asylum seekers. Mr Jankowiak had a business and claimed he was being threatened by the Polish mafia. They had happily settled here. Mr Jankowiak had started a painting and decorating business and Jack was attending Broadoak High School and Patrick was at college.

They were due to be deported last Wednesday (April 9). But the removal order has been temporarily stopped.

The family's plight was revealed in the BT on April 4 when Jack's best friend Christian Bridge (15) and school pal Grant Chadwick (16) started a petition to let the family stay.

Bury North MP David Chaytor has also thrown his weight behind the campaign to allow Jack to finish his education.

Patrick added: "For the past two years we have worked hard for a new life. I was due to start college again in September. That is being taken away from us now and we will have no future. I am very worried for my family who will be in danger when they return to Poland. They will have nothing over there. It is so unjust."

Christian's aunt, Tracy O'Riordan, who lives in Fern Grove, Bury, has been in touch with the Mr Chaytor's office, asking to get the deportation stopped.

She said: "It seems so unfair and ridiculous that this is happening, especially considering Poland will soon be part of the European Community and the family can come back."

Patrick added: "The people have been so supportive and want us to stay. I don't understand why the Government wants us to go."