Grandmother threatened with deportation to South Africa allowed to stay in Mid Wales

Carol Hirst, a 79-year-old South African national, was told by the Home Office to leave Mid Wales or face deportation after her application was rejected.

Mrs Hirst has been married to her British husband, Mike, for more than 44 years, and the pair have lived with their daughter Nikki Blandin De Chalain and nine-year-old grandson in the Powys village for the past five years.

They moved to Wales shortly after they were victims of a violent burglary at their home in Durban, South Africa where they were held at gunpoint.

However, despite being a wife, mother and grandmother to British citizens, Carol's application to stay in Powys was rejected by the Home Office.

The stress of receiving the news led to Carol requiring prescribed medication to help her sleep.

A petition started by the family gained more than 34,000 signatures in 10 days.

Her daughter Nikki said the family received a phone call from the Home Office on Friday, May 31, saying that Carol will be allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK.

She said: "It's my birthday on Wednesday and I got my wish to have my mum staying.

"We're very chuffed. Mum can't take off her smile, she's like a Cheshire Cat!

She added: "It's absolutely brilliant. We're absolutely relieved, I can't put it into words."

Nikki says the family have been "overwhelmed" by the support in Wales and from across the world.

Her mother is said to have been "very touched" after receiving a letter from a gentleman from California who had seen the campaign on the news.

"We would like to thank the general public. We've been overwhelmed by their kindness," Nikki added.

Carol expects to receive her biometric residence permit this week.

Nikki said: "It's been very emotional and time consuming but we've won! We gave them all the evidence that we could offer.We told them she has eight British grandparents and we also found out that one grandfather had died on the way back from the First World War. His name is on a memorial at Sandhurst.

Nikki added: "We just dug and dug for more evidence. We had no choice but to do it."

Chris Davies MP. Carol Hirst and Wendy Poulton

Chris Davies MP who had been supporting the family through its campaign said: “I am over the moon that Carolyn's threat of deportation has been dropped.

"Carolyn should never have been threatened with deportation as she is married to a British man and her daughter being a British passport holder too.

"The Home Office have made some dubious immigration decisions in recent years and Carolyn is one of many individuals I have helped stay in the country."

He added: "I was pleased to help with this case and that it came to such a swift conclusion. I wish Carolyn and her family all the best going forward."