A family near Builth Wells are appealing to save their 79-year-old grandmother from possible deportation to South Africa.

Carolyn Hirst, a South African national, was threatened by the Home Office that she would be deported after making an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. She has been married to her British husband Michael for 44 years.

The couple have lived with their daughter Nikki Blandin De Chalain, her husband Chris and their nine-year-old grandson Connor in Aberedw for five years since suffering a violent attack in South Africa.

The Home Office has now said it is reconsidering the application.

Daughter Mrs Blandin De Chalain said: “We’re just doing our best to do what we can to fight this. When we received the refusal letter we were amazed, confused and angry.”

The elderly couple moved to Aberedw from South Africa after a “vicious attack” which left them fearing for their lives as they were held at gun point for 12 hours and robbed.

Mrs Blandin De Chalain said the Home Office suggested Mrs Hirst could integrate back into society in South Africa, where she said high levels of crime are normal. They also suggested that the family, who are all UK citizens, move to South Africa with the grandmother.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “In light of further information received, we have contacted the family to advise them that we will reconsider Mrs Hirst’s application. We will take into account any additional evidence that is submitted.”

The family are the latest to be caught in the UK Government's hostile environment policy. The policy also saw British residents, who were born in Commonwealth countries, stripped of their rights and benefits and threatened with deportation as well as having been deported in some cases.Opponents have said the policy has made the UK an unwelcoming country to those born overseas.Mrs Blandin De Chalain said the family unit are going to keep fighting for Mrs Hirst to remain in the UK as even with the recent news from the Home Office, it is still no guarantee the situation will change.

She said they had been amazed by the online support including 670 signatures so far on their online petition that can be signed here.

For the full story, see this week’s Brecon & Radnor Express, out on sale from Wednesday, May 22.