Congo fear of mum and her lad of 6

By Jeremy Armstrong 16/11/2009

A boy of six is facing deportation to one of the most dangerous countries in Africa.

Adrian Atkinson and mum Anna, 28, may be flown to the Congo in less than two weeks.

Anna fled her homeland, where her sister died in the civil war, 10 years ago.

She said: "Adrian's scared. He was born in Britain and has never left the country."

Anna and Adrian's British oil worker dad Daniel split two years ago. Her visa has run out and officials ruled she must go by November 25.

Adrian can stay but cannot face being torn from his mum.

Campaigners are pleading for them to stay in Newcastle.

Adrian's half-sister, civil servant Rachel Atkinson, 28, of Sunderland, said: "Adrian's my little brother. What has happened is horrendous."

Lecturer Kristian Low, 31, of Winchester, Hants, is begging officials not to deport American Maija Dacay, 30 - the mum of his baby - whose savings briefly dipped £47 below the £800 needed to keep her visa.