A PETITION calling for the Home Office not to deport a Chechen family living in Swindon is winging its way to Government ministers.

More than 150 Advertiser readers filled in a form printed in the paper urging the Home Office to let the Eltuyev family stay in this country.

The forms were sent, along with a petition which had more than 1,500 signatures.

The family fled torture in Chechnya to come to Swindon in May 2003.

With Islan Eltuyev carrying out voluntary work with young boxers, including Swindon's Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Cox, the family have become part of the community.

But their asylum application was rejected.

Officials have said this is because Islan, 39, did not tell the authorities about everything that had happened to him.

Despite intervention from North Swindon MP Michael Wills after two attempted appeals, the Home Office have said the family could be removed by force at any time.

Yesterday, boxing promoter Keith Mayo sent the messages of support to the Home Office.

He said he is keeping his fingers crossed that the petition prompts immigration officials to take a sympathetic approach to the family's plight.

"I've been amazed by the support," said Mr Mayo. "There is a lot of stuff in the press about refugees and asylum seekers and I think people get the wrong end of the stick with a lot of them.

"This particular family's case is a little bit different to the norm.

"I have known Islan for more than a year through his work with the boxing club and the whole family were just delighted to get another chance to start a new life.

"They are living in fear of one day getting a knock at the door to say they have to go back. I have seen videos of what their lives used to be like and if they went back their lives would be at risk.

"I really hope the petition helps and I hope the right people see it. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed it all pays off."

Islan and his wife Zarina live in Ipswich Street, Gorse Hill. They have three children seven-year-old Said, four-year-old Aslan and seven-month-old Angelina.