BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has appealed to the Home Office to review their decision not to allow a Prestwich family to stay in Britain.

As reported earlier, the Lata and Devesha Campaign received an unexpected blow when the Home Office rejected the recommendation made by an independent adjudicator that the mother and daughter should be allowed to stay outside immigration rules.

The recommendation had been made at an appeal court hearing in February when the adjudicator heard evidence from the pair and Lata's sister's family who live in Egerton Street.

Lata and Devesha Shah had become full-time carers to Lata's severely disabled niece, Arati Bhavsar, but faced deportation after their application to stay in Britain was refused.

The family was very upset when they received the disappointing news and appealed to MP Ivan Lewis to write to the Secretary of State, David Blunkett, requesting he grant indefinite leave to remain in this country.

Mr Lewis, who has supported the campaign from its early stages two years ago, said he was very surprised the Home Office had not upheld the recommendation and vowed to fight on in support of the family.

He said: "When I heard the news last week I immediately contacted the Home Office to express my serious concerns and asked them to review the situation." Mr Lewis said the Home Office Minister, Angela Eagle, who was acting on behalf of David Blunkett, would review the situation and let him know the outcome within a couple of weeks.

He added: "It is very unusual for the Home Office not to uphold the recommendation made by an independent adjudicator. This fight is far from over and before deciding on the next course of action we should await clarification from the Home Office on this matter."