A campaign to let a family of asylum seekers stay in Swindon is gathering pace with more than 500 supporters signing up to their cause.

Islan Eltuyev and his family fled torture in Chechnya to come to Swindon in May 2003.

Since then he and his wife Zarina, 27, who have three children, have become part of the community.

But their asylum application was rejected, because they say Islan, 39, did not tell the authorities about everything that had happened to him.

Local MP Michael Wills tried to intervene but after two attempted appeals the Home Office said that they could be removed by force at any time.

Since his arrival Islan has been working as a volunteer at the Walcot Boxing Club and members of the boxing community are determined to see him stay.

Boxing promoter Keith Mayo, who has been organising the petition, said: "We're just trying to highlight that he is doing a good job.

"He wants to work full-time and earn money but he can't until he is allowed to stay.

"He is putting so much into the boxing side of the town and he wants to get out and make a living.

"It's frightening what he had to go through. There's a good chance he will be killed if he goes back and it's a horrible thought.

"This is a genuine case of someone who wants to get on in the community and he is a big help to the kids."

Swindon's Commonwealth gold medallist boxer, Jamie Cox, is fighting Islan's corner.

Jamie, 19, who has attributed his success to the Chechen refugee, said: "I'm really pleased the petition's going well.

"I hope we get more people signing it and he stays.

"I will improve as a boxer if he stays. We are still working on things and I'm getting more intelligent as a fighter thanks to him.

"The family have told me what it was like for them before they came here and they shouldn't have to go back."

Islan says he was repeatedly beaten by the Russian army in the belief that he had information on Chechen rebels.

He says he knew nothing and his family had to flea to save their lives.

Since they have been in Swindon the couple, who already had two children, Said, seven, and four-year-old Aslan have had a third child, Angelina who is now nine-months-old.

Former boxer Pete Neal, 52, who now runs the Manor Pub in Cheney Manor Road, is helping out with the petition.

He says that people have been keen to get behind the family.

"We have got a hell of a lot of signatures and Islan is a lovely bloke," he said.

"I think he should be allowed to stay because he is doing such a good job for boxing in the town. He is keeping kids off the street and the standard of boxing has gone up since he arrived.

"Why should he not stay? He is putting something into the country.

"It's not as though he has come here and is on the gravy train.

"He is special and he's doing a good job. He has put a lot into the town."

A spokeswoman for the Home Office was unable to comment on the progress of individual cases.

But the Home Office has said in the past that the Eltuyevs can be removed by force at any time.

  • Anyone who wants to sign the petition can do so at the Manor pub or Greenbridge MOT centre

We cannot bear the thought of leaving

ISLAN and Zarina Eltuyev say they have been overwhelmed with the support they have received from the people of Swindon.

The couple, who have both learned to speak English, have worked hard to become members of the community.

Islan, 39, who was a boxer in his homeland and is now coaching youngsters here, said: "I'm very happy with the petition. Lots of people are helping us.

"Keith Mayo and Pete Neal are being very good to us and Jamie Cox has been great.

"Some people say to me that the boys are fighting better and I'm helping so that's good."

The family has watched on in amazement as the number of signatures has built up.

The plan is to submit the final petition to the Home Office but the organisers are hoping for more people to put pen to paper first. "Maybe it will make a difference," Islan said.

"Hopefully it will go to the Home Office and they will make a different decision. I don't know, it's up to them."

Zarina says she cannot bear the thought of her family having to leave Swindon.

Her two sons are in school here and the whole family feel settled.

"It's good to know some people are supporting us," she said.

"It's nice and we didn't expect it. We didn't know how many would sign but I hope it's going to help."

The family is living in fear that they could be forced to leave any day and Zarina says it is hard to stay optimistic.

"I just hope but I don't know," she said. "I just try to believe but it's difficult.

"We are just thinking about the safety of our children."

MP Wills is backing family's bid

Labour MP for North Swindon Michael Wills, who wrote to the Home Office to try to get the family to stay, has welcomed the petition.

"I think this just shows the high esteem with which the Eltuyev family are held," he said.

"And congratulations need to go to those responsible for setting up the petition."

The MP said that he would be more than willing to present the Home Office minister with a copy of the petition.

"It has to be taken into account when they are making their decision," he said. "I have made it clear to the minister the degree of support the family have and that they want to become useful members of the community.

"I will be pressing the minister to take this into account."

Mr Wills has met the family and had several meetings with Tony McNulty, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship over their situation.

He said at the time: "They are making a really useful contribution to Swindon and I cannot see what useful purpose there would be in sending them back."