The Grimsby Telegraph has saved an asylum-seeking family from deportation.

Earlier this month the Bokhari family, who have lived in Grimsby for 18 months, were whisked off to a detention centre after immigration officials turned up at their home unnanounced.

Their application for asylum was turned down and they were told they would be deported.

This was despite the family claiming that their lives would be at risk if they were to return to Pakistan.

They fled the country after being targeted by religious extremists.

But thanks to the Telegraph and the support of the local community, the family have been told they can stay for the time being and have been released on bail.

The newspaper took up the case of the family after being alerted to the family's plight by the headteacher of the school which three of the Bokhari children attend.

Education reporter Paul Donovan managed to make contact with Mr Bokhari, a human rights lawyer, and when the Telegraph highlighted the case it sparked a massive community effort.

But with no information from the Home Office the Telegraph struggled to find out what was happening, and had to keep up-to-date with regular calls to Mr Bokhari.

Health reporter Nick Purewal - who followed up the lead - said: "Mr Bokhari called us on Tuesday to say they were being deported at 8pm - he was devastated."

The Telegraph quickly drafted a letter to immigration minister Des Browne, calling for the case to be reviewed, and later that day local MP Austin Mitchell received a message that the family were not to be deported that night.

The paper then arranged legal representation for the family and on Thursday it was able to splash the news that the family had been released on bail.

Nick and photographer Ray Corke were there to greet the family when they arrived at Grimsby station.

Nick said: "We've had so many letters and e-mails of support for the family that it is obvious people want them to stay.

"They have lived here for 18 months and have played by the rules. Mr Bokhari is a school govenor and his wife is a teaching assistant. They have so much to offer the community.

"It's fulfilling for everyone concerned, but this is only the start. We've got to make sure that they can stay indefinitely. It's what they want, what they deserve and what the community want."