A FAMILY threatened with deportation to their war torn homeland have been given fresh hope that they may be allowed to stay in Bolton.

The Government has indicated that the Sukula family, and others like them who have failed in their bid for asylum, could be given the right to stay.

Up to now the Home Office has ruled out plans for an amnesty.

Now it has now changed its position saying there is no "immediate prospect" for an amnesty, but has not ruled out the possibility.

Neil McAlister, vice-chairman of The Sukula Family Must Stay Campaign, said: "There have been rumours about an amnesty and the immigration minister has not ruled it out completely.

"It is something that would be very welcome not just for the Sukula family but for others like them.

"The Government should be clear about their policy because it raises hopes of people like the Sukulas who cling on to every bit of news."

The Sukula family mother Ngiedi Lusukumu, father Kiala Sukula and their children Flores, aged 19, Daniel, aged 16, Destin, aged seven, Sarah, aged five, Exhauce, aged three, and Benedicte, aged one fled to the UK from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to escape Government militia.

They started a new life in Great Lever, but are now living in fear of being deported to their former homeland after the Home Office threw out their application for asylum.

A campaign, backed by the Bolton Evening News, is now underway to stop the family from being sent back.

Under the Government's tough legislation against failed asylum-seekers, the family's state-benefits have been stopped, and they are being forced to rely on handouts for survival.

Mr McAlister said: "The Sukula family want to work and make a contribution to society as will other who have fled here.

"With an ageing population we need people to contribute to the economy, and the Government should let people know about the contribution the people who have come to this country can make, instead of running scared of tabloid papers.

"A third of doctors working in the NHS, for example, were not born here."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Our goal is to toughen our enforcement regime and so it is highly unlikely there is an immediate prospect on an amnesty."