A FORMER Blackburn schoolgirl at the centre of an international tug-of-love has been told she must return to Britain.

Molly Campbell has been in the middle of a custody battle since she went to live with her father in Pakistan three months ago.

But a judge in Pakistan has now ruled that Molly, who is also known as Misbah Rana, should return to live with her mother in Scotland.

Molly's mother was said to be "very happy and excited" at the decision.

The 12-year-old and her family lived in Moss Street, Daisyfield, Blackburn, until 2001.

She left the UK with her father, Sajad Ahmed Rana, to live in Lahore, where she told reporters she wanted to stay.

But her mother, Louise Campbell, 38, launched a petition in the courts, stating Molly had been taken illegally.

She had been given custody of her daughter by the Scottish Court of Session, which will now decide any future changes to her custody arrange-ments.

Yesterday a judge in the high court in Lahore ruled the girl must be handed into the custody of the British High Commission within the next seven days.

She should return to Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles, Judge Siquib Nisar said.

Speaking outside the court, wealthy businessman Mr Rana, 45, said: "I was very surprised and shocked by this decision. I must speak to my solicitor to see if we can appeal.

"Misbah is devastated, she was crying, she is very upset. She doesn't want to go back to Scotland, she wants to stay here in Pakistan."

Asked about a report that the schoolgirl had been the victim of racism while living on Stornoway, he said: "Yes, she got some racial abuse at school."

He said: "She doesn't want to go back to Scotland, she wants to stay here in Pakistan."

Shona Smith, partner at Balfour and Manson Solicitors, who represent Ms Campbell, said: "Molly was habitually resident in Scotland when she was unlawfully removed earlier this year."

In August her mother told reporters: "I would like to say to Molly that we miss her so much and we beg her to come home to us.

"She has to know she is not in any trouble and we are not angry, we just want her home.

"I miss the fun and laughs we used to have. We are saving up all her pocket money for her so she can spend it in town when she gets back."

Ms Campbell left Blackburn in 2003 and moved to the Western Isles with her daughter last year.