ADVER readers are backing a bid to let a family of asylum seekers stay in Swindon.

Eighty-five per cent of people who voted in a phone and internet poll say that the Eltuyev family should remain.

The family fled torture in Chechnya to come to Swindon in May 2003 and now the town wants them to stay, with more than 1,100 people responding to the vote.

As previously reported in the Adver Islan 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.

In spite of intervention from North Swindon MP Michael Wills after two attempted appeals, the Home Office said that they could be removed by force at any time.

Referring to the results of the poll, Islan, of Ipswich Street, said: "It's very good news for us. We want to stay, we're happy here and we're happy that people are supporting us.

"We meet some people who aren't happy that we are here, sometimes they look at you in the street. But most people we meet are good to us."

Boxing promoter Keith Mayo, who has been organising a petition to keep Islan here after all the work he has done as a volunteer with young boxers, said: "It's excellent news.

"I'm surprised in a way that so many people are behind him because you hear people complaining about asylum seekers.

"But he has been so helpful and all he wants to do is settle down in the community, get a job and get on with his life.

"He is a genuine case."

Since the Adver reported on Keith's 500-strong petition earlier this week several hundred more people have signed up.

"We've filled two more pages since it went in the paper and it's going great," he said.

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

Jamie, 19, who has attributed his success to the Chechen refugee, was pleased with the Adver survey, saying: "The statistics are good and I'm just happy that people are voting for him to stay.

"It would mean a lot to me if he stays and it would mean a lot to others at the club."

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