A WOMAN who suffered domestic abuse has been told she does not have to return to Pakistan -- thanks to Bury Council.

The victim, who has not been named, was told by the Home Office she would be deported, but the social services department worked with other groups to fight her case. The mother had fled her home and was given a 12-month visa to stay in Bury, where she has lived with relatives.

After a year she realised she would be classified as an "overstayer" when she discovered that her husband had not returned her papers to ensure she was legally entitled to stay in Britain. She was terrified of the consequences should she be returned to Pakistan.

She looked for help and Bury Social Services, through the Pathways to Social Care programme, identified funding for her to seek refuge and for her case to be dealt with by the Bury Law Centre. She now has permanent residence in the UK.

Cllr Mike Connolly, Executive Member for Health, Housing and Social Services, said: "The success of her case is a credit to the people who have given their time and effort to help her."