THE man behind the fight to keep a family (pictured) threatened with deportation in the UK told the Bury Times justice had finally been served.

"It is amazing," said Mr Peter Burns speaking soon after hearing the good news from the head of the family, Mr Javed Iqbal. "It has been a long time coming but it is fantastic news.

"I couldn't believe the support the local community gave to their fight."

During the campaign, Mr Burns collected 60,000 signatures for a petition, sent numerous letters to MPs, and won the support of Bury Council and Bury North MP David Chaytor.

"Javed is a changed man. He has been under tremendous pressure but now he cannot stop grinning," said Mr Burns.

"The family can now look forward to a more certain future."

For the past 18 months, Mr Burns of Brandlesholme Road, Bury, has been leading a high profile campaign to keep the Iqbal family, of Alfred Street, Bury, in the country.

Now he is organising a huge party to celebrate their victory.

Mr Javed Iqbal fled Pakistan on a business visa with his wife, Samia, and two sons Usama (12) and Talha (10) seven years ago to start a new life in the UK.

Mr Iqbal has made a living as a self-employed taxi driver and is deputy chairman of the Bury Independent Hackney Drivers' Association. The couple have since had two daughters, Ameena (8) and Aneesa (3). All the children are settled at a local school.

In 1997 the family's life was shattered when the Home Office refused an application for residency and the family were told they would have to go back to their homeland.

Mr Burns said: "I was angry at the unfairness and the injustice. I was determined to do what I could to help the family to stay in the country."

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