THE battle to keep a Nelson man in the UK with his mum and girlfriend has failed.

Sam Wright, 23, was deported from Heathrow airport and sent back to the United States after desperate last gasp attempts to stop it happening failed.

Sam, who lived with mum Rosaria and her husband Paul in Rowland Avenue, Nelson, was deported after being classed as on over-stayer when attempts to get a permanent visa failed.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson asked the Home Office to step in and prevent Sam, who looks after his ill mother, from being deported.

On Friday the family appealed to the High Court for an injunction to delay the deportation, but this failed.

As a result, Sam flew to Los Angeles International airport on Saturday.