SUPPORT for a family of asylum seekers who are desperate to stay in Swindon has spread to America.

A member of the Chechen Refugee Network in the US contacted the Adver to congratulate the people of Swindon for backing the Eltuyevs.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition and 130 readers have filled in a form printed in the paper urging the Home Office to let Islan, Zarina and their three children stay.

Dr Michaela Pohl, the assistant professor in the history department at Vassar College, New York, said: "Things in Chechnya are very complicated and one cannot simply send people back, so I am glad the community is raising awareness and support for this family.

"Basically, I just wanted to send a note of appreciation for your community's integrity and active response."

The family fled torture in Chechnya to come to Swindon in May 2003.

An Adver poll showed 85 per cent of more than 1,100 people who voted wanted them to stay.

With Islan doing volunteer work with boxers, including Swindon's Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Cox, the family have become part of the community.

But their asylum application was rejected, because they say Islan, 39, did not tell the authorities about everything that had happened to him.

In spite of intervention from North Swindon MP Michael Wills after two attempted appeals, the Home Office said that they could be removed by force at any time.

Zarina, 27, said: "It's amazing that it's spread to the USA. I'm surprised that they have heard about it and it's a bit scary because we still don't know what to expect.

"We're just hoping for a good end to it all."

Boxing promoter Keith Mayo, who has been organising a petition to keep them here, was equally surprised.

"It's excellent," he said. "It's brilliant that the story has travelled that far.

"And every little helps, as they say.

"The people of Swindon have been good, with the petition and everything else and we just hope it does the job."

Keith is planning to send the petition off to the Home Office in the next few days.

Anyone who wants to sign it can do so at the Manor pub, in Cheney Manor Road, or at Greenbridge MOT centre.