A FAMILY of Macedonian refugees have vowed to ask the Government for permission to stay in the North-East, after their appeal for asylum was denied.

Lile and Marjun Dimitrievski fled to Britain two years ago to escape the bitter war raging in their country, and have since made their home in Redcar, Teesside.

The family want to be allowed to stay in the country for the sake of their sons, Sasha, 12, and eight-year-old Miki.

A campaign group supporting the family has been formed, but earlier this week an Immigration Appeal Tribunal, in London, ignored the group's pleas and said the family must be deported.

Their only hope now is that a direct plea can be made to Immigration Minister Lord Jeff Rooker, who has the power to overrule the tribunal.

Pete Widlinski, of the North East Refugee Service, said: "The family are pretty devastated and they were really depressed when they heard the news. We are getting more information about what is happening over there, and we hope to convince the Government it would be unsafe for them to go back.

"If the Government do believe in democracy and accountability, they have got to listen to local opinion on this."