TEARS of joy flowed in a Prestwich family as they learned their two-year deportation fight was finally over.

Following a dramatic U-turn by Home Office ministers, mother and daughter Lata and Devesha Shah were told they could stay in the UK indefinitely to care for Lata's severely disabled niece, Arati Bhavsar.

The pair came on holiday to Britain in 2000 to stay with Lata's sister Mina and her husband Ajay Bhavsar at their home in Egerton Street.

The pair soon became very attached to the Bhavsar's now 23-year-old daughter Arati who has cerebral palsy and severe learning difficulties as a result of a hospital blunder at birth.

An application to the Home Office to remain in Prestwich, however, was denied and Lata (40) and Devesha (17) faced deportation back to India.

The family's plight was exclusively highlighted in the Prestwich Guide and an anti-deportation campaign was set up, gathering much local support.

Despite remaining optimistic throughout, the family and their supporters have faced a number of obstacles.

The latest was a devastating blow when the Secretary of State, David Blunkett, rejected the recommendation of an independent adjudicator to allow the pair to stay in this country.

MP Ivan Lewis, who has supported the campaign throughout, stepped in last week and approached the Home Office with his concerns over the decision.

The decision was reviewed and a positive result delivered to the family this week to "exceptionally allow Mrs Shah and her daughter to remain in the UK".

On hearing the news Arati's father Ajay said he was "over the moon" and added: "This is excellent. Beautiful. I am lost for words really. The telephone has not stopped and everyone is on cloud nine."

Ajay thanked all the supporters who were involved in the campaign and added: "The people of Prestwich have been very good and I appreciate all the help the Guide has given us, and Tony Openshaw who has led the campaign. Lata and Devesha were crying with happiness when they were told the news and we intend to have a party to celebrate! We can now plan everything."

Mr Lewis added: "I am delighted at the news. Lata's and Devesha's cases are exceptional and am pleased that the Home Office recognised this in this common-sense decision. I would like to pay tribute to all those who have supported the family through this difficult time."

In a letter from the Home Office, Minister of State Jeff Rooker, said: "I recognise that there are genuine and compelling compassionate circumstances in this case and that the presence of Mrs Shah and her daughter has been of enormous benefit to both Arati and her parents."

Campaign organiser Tony Openshaw, who works for the Immigration Aid Unit in Manchester, spoke of his "absolute delight" at the decision and said: "I have to keep pinching myself. There has been so many twists and turns in this campaign and the initial rejection was so demoralising. This is such a turn-a-round, I am very pleased the family can stay. This is what we have been fighting for. It has been a real team effort and I thank everyone involved."