A campaign backed by the Western Morning News is being taken to the streets to provoke more support.

Elderly American Betsy van Warmer and her son Mark are campaigning to the Home Office to let him stay to care for her.

Mark was born in America but moved to England in 1970 with his mum and three of his brothers. He was an official resident of Britain from 1974 but after leaving the country for two years and one month, he lost this status.

Now, the Home Office won’t let Mark stay in Britain to look after his 83-year-old mum who suffers from vertigo and has trouble hearing and shopping.

The Western Morning News has produced a series of posters to rally support.

Looe mayor Wally Scarah and the van Warmers took to the streets of the Cornish town to urge people to sign the Western Morning News-backed petition, which Mr Scarah says he will take directly to Tony Blair.

The mayor said the petition was a vital part of the campaign and he was very grateful for the support offered by the paper and local people.

He said: “The WMN has done us proud and we are very, very grateful. It will take a lot of time and effort to see this through, and to do what the WMN is doing is very much appreciated.”

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