A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a popular asylum seeker from being sent back to his war-torn homeland.

People are rallying round to help Moses Maglo Possi, 25, who has lived in Darlington for more than three years, and a petition has collected more than 400 names.

Mr Possi left Congo Brazzeville in 2000, after his support for the political opposition left him fearing for his life. He said he will be persecuted if he returns.

Since coming to England, he has become a central part of Darlington's Salvation Army community and does daily voluntary work.

After an unsuccessful appeal against plans to deport him, his supporters have pledged to fight for him to stay.

Mr Possi said: "Leaving Congo was something I'd never thought of as I was growing up, but it became something I had to do. It was very hard to leave family and friends.

"I came to the UK because I knew it as a country where human rights are important, but now I am worried about my future."

Captain Marian Fripp, of the Salvation Army, said everyone thinks the world of Mr Possi.

"Moses contributes so much to the community - he's a translator, he works with the youth club, he's an extremely talented musician. Everyone here adores him," she said.

"I can understand objections to asylum seekers, but this is a totally genuine and deserving case.

"He's been in limbo between the ages of 21 and 25, which are valuable years of anyone's life, and he would love to settle down with a family, but he can't."

Toni Carr, chairwoman of the Darlington branch of Amnesty International, also gave her support to Mr Possi.

"I have become involved in this case personally, I feel very strongly that this shouldn't be allowed to happen," she said.

"He is a very talented young man, he plays music, speaks five languages, and is so keen to help people and do good.

"He really wants to start contributing to society here, and we are hoping the petition and The Salvation Army's efforts are successful - he is a very deserving case."