A MOTHER and daughter who are living in fear of deportation to a country where they face persecution have been given new hope.

Kosovan Roma Gypsy Eda Berisha has settled here with her mother, Vjollca, since fleeing Kosovo in 2003 after her father and brother went missing, presumed murdered.

The two have endured illness and disability, as well as the constant threat of forced expulsion after their application for asylum was rejected by the Home Office and a subsequent judicial review.

They were classified as economic migrants when their former solicitor failed to present crucial evidence about their plight.

A campaign involving doctors, nurses and community workers in Newham was launched after Eda attempted suicide for the second time.

Their case is now being reviewed after MP Jim Fitzpatrick made a personal plea to immigration minister Tony McNulty.

Kosovo has emerged from a period of violent unrest involving ethnic Serbs and Albanians following the collapse of the old Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Romas report that the Albanian Kosovan Liberation Army offers no protection to their community, who continue to face persecution because they did not join the fight against the Serbs.

Eda, 24, who suffers from spina bifida, can see no future if she is forced to return to her country of origin.

To compound their struggle, Vjollca has had five heart operations and suffers from severe diabetes.

Eda, who has worked as a volunteer interpreter and lives in West Ham, was on suicide watch in Newham Hospital when she found out that she would not be granted asylum and feared the worst when a letter arrived.

She said: "I was shaking, I wanted to call someone to open it for me and I thought that maybe it was bad news again.

"I was so happy that at last they are going to re-assess the case.

"I thought at last I am safe for now. I feel very positive, I am very thankful to Jim Fitzpatrick and the people who have become close to me.

"My dream is to study hard and finish university and get a job.

"I have had plenty of offers that I could not take up because of my status. I just want to sort myself out and get on with my life."

People can send messages of support to saveedaandvjollca@yahoo.co.uk.