A FORMER child slave whose bid for asylum has been backed by more than 120,000 people faces an agonising wait to see if he can stay in the UK.

Nineteen-year-old Stephen, originally from Vietnam, has built a new life with a foster family in Shildon, County Durham, and expected to hear on Friday afternoon whether the Home Office would grant him asylum.

But officials asked for an extension, leaving the young man and his family anxiously waiting the outcome. They were told yesterday that the new decision date is March 23 - Stephen's 20th birthday.

Stephen has requested that instead of birthday presents, people make donations to ECPAT and 38 Degrees who have been instrumental NGOs in making his case reach the numbers of people it has and putting pressure on the Home Office on his behalf.

Foster sister, Naomi Tomlinson, said: "They are stating the reason as needing more time to review the evidence. Our lawyer is appealing this as they have had plenty of time to review evidence already so we are hopeful we will get a decision sooner."

Ms Tomlinson said Stephen has been "extremely stressed and fearful".

Over Christmas the teenager, whose real name is withheld, was devastated to learn the Home Office had refused his application for asylum.

He appealed and a campaign to back him won widespread support including from the Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman and more than 120,000 signed a petition to Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

The original decision was suspended and the Home Office re-interviewed Stephen last week and a deadline of 4pm on Friday was set for a decision on whether he would get five years asylum, which officials asked to be put back so they have more time to consider new information that came to light.

Miss Tomlinson said: “We are extremely disappointed with a government department paid for by our taxes that fails to act in ways that reflect our British values.

“The casual disregard of a court direction, the disregard of human suffering and the disregard of justice and fairness have been our experience of dealing with this office.

“We hope now to hear on Monday but past experience indicates our hopes may be dashed on the rocks of their indifference.

“Stephen has asked me to say a huge thank you to all of those who have supported him during this difficult time, he is at a low ebb, your support means a lot.”

Stephen was orphaned and living on the streets of Vietman at the age of ten where he was picked up by a criminal gang, trafficked to the UK and forced to work in a cannabis farm.

He was rescued by authorities during a drugs raid on Tyneside when he was 16 and for three years has lived with Shildon Vicar Rev David Tomlinson and wife Davina.

Without asylum Stephen is unable to stay in the UK or seek consent to work.

His foster parents, Rev David Tomlinson and Davina Tomlinson say he has no living family, or source of income back in Vietnam and, as a converted Christian, would face religious persecution if deported.

A Home Office spokesperson said every case was assessed on its individual merits and additional evidence needed to be considered.

He said: "The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection and every case is assessed on its individual merits.

“The Claimant recently submitted additional evidence that was not available when the initial refusal decision was made.

“The Home Office asked the Tribunal to adjourn the hearing, scheduled for Monday, February 5, so the additional evidence could be fully considered. On Friday, the Home Office submitted an application to the Tribunal for an extension of time to consider this case.

“This application, which was submitted in accordance with the directions set by the courts, is now being considered.

He added: “As the appeal is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further.”