A FAMILY of asylum seekers face deportation after a final bid to stay in the country failed.

Nigel and Pearl Karim, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, won the widespread support of the local community in their fight to remain in East Lancashire.

But yesterday a letter arrived telling them a bid for a judicial review over their asylum rejection had been refused.

Now Nigel and Pearl have made a last ditch plea for the authorities to let them stay for the sake of their children, Crystal, 15, and Calvin, 13.

Nigel, 52, said both Crystal and Calvin were performing well at Fisher More High School, Colne, and their education would be "ruined" if they were deported.

He said: "They have been in school for five years and I am concerned for their future. All the teachers say they are pleased with them and Crystal is in the top five in the school for her age.

"If nothing else, I would appeal on compassionate grounds for us to be allowed to stay."

Pearl, 44, said Crystal wanted to study dentistry at Oxford University. She said: "After five years you cannot expect them to go back to that environment. It would ruin their education."

The family moved to Nelson from Pakistan five years ago claiming they would be killed if they returned because of their Christianity.

After the family's second bid for asylum was rejected, they applied for a judicial review in a bid to be allowed to stay.

In the letter from the High Court, the family were told their bid for a judicial review had been turned down because new evidence they submitted did not "consitute a new claim".

Last year, the family were arrested at their home and taken to an immigration centre in Bedfordshire to be deported.

However they were allowed back to Nelson while their appeal was heard.

Campaigners are continuing to fight for the family and there will be a public meeting today at 6.30pm at Nelson Town Hall.

Nigel said: "We do not know what will happen now but we will continue with the campaign until we have some positive news."