KOSOVAN asylum seeker Arsim Fejzullahu is hoping his first Christmas with his British wife and baby girl will not be the last.

He faces a tribunal early in the New Year to appeal against the decision to refuse him refugee status.

If unsuccessful, Arsim, of Carlton Gardens, Blackburn, could be deported immediately and have to apply to come back as the spouse of a British citizen.

Arsim's plight was revealed when he appealed through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in June to be allowed to stay with Lois, 21, and their eight month old baby, Tara.

At that time the government had just judged that his fear of persecution in Kosovo was not well founded.

But Arsim is adamant that he would be murdered by the Serbian police if he returned, because of his involvement with the Kosovo Liberation Army before he fled the region three years ago.

Arsim celebrated a traditional Christmas yesterday, despite being a Muslim. because life in Kosovo had shown him the horrific consequences of intolerance toward religions.

He spent Christmas Day at his mother-in-law's house, joining in the traditional festivities. Father Christmas brought baby Tara a host of presents as Arsim has held down a job in the warehouse of Howarth Timber, Bruce Street, Blackburn.

But, despite his current enthusiasm for Christmas, it was very confusing and overwhelming when he first arrived in England.

Arsim said: "I was surprised that people celebrated it so much and I thought they had gone too far.

"In Kosovo no one celebrated Christmas because of the war, as their brothers or sisters had died.

"Now I think it is good. I like the way families come together and have a nice time."

He said he would be trying not to think about the family he left behind in Kosovo as the festive season gets in full swing in England.

Arsim added: "I think of them all the time but I have my own family now and have to look after them. Everyone will die one day so I cannot keep thinking about what happened to my family.

"I am hoping it is the first of many Christmases in England with my family. I hope the appeal will be all right."