A FATHER who was forced to leave the country because of tough new immigration laws hopes to get the green light to return to the UK this week.

Despite living in Bolton for more than 20 years, Mark Brinegar was told he must return to America - his country of birth - to apply for permission to stay in Britain indefinitely.

He left for his homeland on August 23, hoping the process would be complete in a matter of days. Now, after more than four weeks of frustration over red tape delays, he hopes to be issued with the relevant documents tomorrow.

His wife, Lisa, said: "They sent all the papers back after the first application because the money he sent was one dollar over what it should have been."

But officials in New York have told Mr Brinegar they received his second application last week and assured him that it normally takes five days to process.

Mrs Brinegar, of Shipton Street, Heaton, said: "We are hopeful and we have got our fingers crossed for good news on Friday.

"We should definitely hear something this week."

Mr Brinegar, aged 29, has an American father but moved to Britain with his Bolton-born mother after his parents split up when he was eight years old.

The former Devonshire Road Primary and Canon Slade secondary school pupil has an American passport and had no idea he needed permission to stay in the UK.

He could have stayed in the UK and applied for permanent residency but would have had to give up his American passport, which Mr Brinegar wanted to keep in case he decides to return to the US with his family.