MORE than 50 Kosovo refugees staying in East Lancashire are to return to their homeland on the first available flight.

Others will move into housing in various parts of Lancashire.

Staff at the Calderstones Hospital complex in Whalley will hold talks with local authorities and housing associations to decide where the refugees will move to next.

Seventeen-year-old Ibadete Selmani arrived at Calderstones with her brother Ilir, 16, and sister, Valdete, 16. Their aunt, uncle and cousins are also with them, but their mother Sanie, 39, and father, Ramadan, 45, are still in Kosovo.

Ilbadete said: "We want to go back to Kosovo as soon as possible because my mum and dad are there."

However, he admitted the family would face huge problems.

"I am apprehensive about going back to Pristina," he said.

"Our house has been damaged, but that is where we will stay. I've liked my time here and everyone has been really friendly. Before we came here, I knew very little English and I think I have learned a lot."

Their tutor Anjum Anwar has been teaching them English.

She said: "They work really hard and soak up information like a sponge. However, they haven't had the chance to mix with any locals.

"We've taken the group on several day trips but they've not really been integrated into the community as such."

Drita Kozmaqi wants to stay in East Lancashire a little longer. While her father Ragip, 47, and brother Valon, 14, will be going back to the Balkans, Drita and her mother Sevdije, 46, will be staying.

Drita, 18, of Obiliq, near Pristina, said: "I want to stay so I can carry on learning English. My mum also wants to stay so she can learn more too.

"I've enjoyed learning here, and I've also liked going on the various day trips which have been organised."

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