THE future of the Kachepa family was being considered today by a Government minister.

Campaigners hope immigration minister Tony McNulty will use his discretion and block this Thursday's planned deportation on compassionate grounds.

Written submissions detailing how Verah Kachepa and her four children have integrated into the community have been sent to the Home Office by top human rights lawyer Louise Christian.

The submissions are being supported by South Dorset MP Jim Knight who will be speaking on the family's behalf today - even though he is on a family holiday in Wales.

Mr Knight said: "An application for discretionary leave is being made and I will be speaking with Mr McNulty today and tomorrow on the telephone to reinforce the case made on paper.

"I will be taking the Minister through all the reasons why he should use his discretion. I anticipate a decision by the end of tomorrow and if it's positive the family can remain for a further three years."

Mr Knight said the application had allowed the legal team to focus on the fact that there was no public interest in sending the family back to Malawi, particularly as they were so well integrated into the community and had skills that were beneficial to the area.

Previous submissions had concentrated on the issue of political asylum. Mr Knight said Louise Christian had been able to bring a great deal of expertise to the case.

But he added: "Let no-one be under any illusions. The fight goes on but we are fighting as hard as we can."

If the discretionary leave application fails lawyers will push for a judicial review where new expert evidence will be produced in relation to Malawi.

Ms Christian said the children were too young to remember what life was like in Malawi and that all their friends were in the UK.

She added: "We believe the children will be very badly affected. It will be extremely distressing for them to return to Malawi and we are getting medical evidence to that effect."

Messages are continuing to flood in on a website set up to support the family: www.kachepa-charity.co.uk