Almost 150,000 people have signed a regional journalist’s petition to save an old schoolmate’s family from being deported.

Amanda Kennedy, who works for Annan-based DNG Media, is fighting to save the Saleem family from being sent back to Pakistan after 13 years in the UK.

Amanda, pictured, attended secondary school with 25-year-old Saira, the Saleems’ youngest daughter, and she has been granted leave to remain.

However, the rest of the family’s application was rejected due to their former solicitor mistakenly handing it in late.

Amanda told HTFP: “Saira was over the moon to find out her four-year-long quest to be granted a Leave to Remain visa had been granted, until she realised her parents Muhammad and Razia and sister Fatima had lost their plea to stay.

“The Saleems have been unable to work, study or claim benefits since 2015, relying on the generosity of friends and extended family to fund their day to day life.

“Saira was granted the right to stay as she moved here age 12 and has now spent more than half her life in Scotland, her life is now back on track, she’s got a job in Dumfries and starts a place at college shortly. However, her family are still vulnerable and unable to work.

“My fingers are crossed that this boost in signatures will help their MP fight their battle and strengthen their cause.”

Amanda’s petition, which can be found here, has so far been signed by 144,200 people.

She added: “As a local journalist I see countless bad news stories every week. My connection to Saira meant I was unable to sit back and do nothing – so I decided to start the petition myself.”

The family’s solicitor, Glasgow-based Usman Aslam, now plans to appeal to the Home Office on behalf of the rest of the family.

He said: “We are very pleased that Saira has been granted leave to remain in the UK in what was a very difficult case.

“Her sister, mother and father have been given a right of appeal before a judge which itself is good, however, we are hoping to persuade the Home Office not to spilt up a family who have always lived together.

“We would rather try to resolve matters rather than court action, especially when there is a petition of well over 100,000 signatures who agree the Saleem family have integrated into Scotland.”