BLACK and white, young and old - more than 500 people took to the streets of Bolton to save a family from deportation.

They were protesting at Government plans to send the Sukula family back to their war-torn homeland in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Despite biting wind and rain, parents with small children, students, pensioners and trade unionists assembled at Lever Edge Primary School - where two of the six Sukula children are attending - to begin their march to Bolton Town Hall where a mass rally was held.

The massive display of unity on Saturday was the strongest show of public opinion yet in the campaign calling on the Home Secretary to change his mind and allow the family to stay.

The campaign is being backed by the Bolton Evening News and editor Steve Hughes told those assembled for the rally: "It is shameful of the Government to treat asylum seekers in such an arbitrary way.

"The Sukulas have lived in Bolton for three years. Two of the children were born here and the family wants to make a contribution to society.

"The two eldest children are training to be a plumber and a midwife. I don't know how the Government could contemplate sending the Sukulas back to an uncertain fate in a country where rape is used as instrument of torture."

Ngiedi Luskumu and her husband Sukula Kiala fled to this country and started a new life in Netherfield Road, Great Lever, with their children, Flores, aged 19; Daniel, aged 16; Destin, aged seven; Sarah, aged 5; Exhauce, aged three and Benedict, aged six months.

But last year their application for asylum was rejected. Under tough immigration laws introduced by the Government, they have also now had their benefit stopped. This could force them out of their home and mean the younger children going into care.

Before the 500-strong crowd of pedestrians set off on the 45-minute walk, Flores Sukula addressed them.

She said: "You all know what's going on and why you are here today. I am really glad to see everyone here and feel so proud. We know we are not alone and have your support.

"But we need your support to continue. With your help we can get the Home Secretary and the Home Office to allow us to stay here in our home. This campaign isn't just for us, it is for all asylum seekers."

Flores, who is training to be a midwife, told the Bolton Evening News before the march began that her family were "genuinely touched" by Bolton residents' backing.

"The support has been amazing," she said. "The campaign is gathering pace and we feel it really could work but we have to continue with the protest.

"We are proud to be in Bolton. We want to live our lives here and contribute to the community."

Leading campaigner Jason Travis said the Government had to hear the rising volume of protest for the Sukulas - whose benefits were stopped six weeks ago.

"We certainly hope the tide will change," he said. "We have people here from Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Oxford, London and across the North-west.

"It's an issue people support, but the Government is determined to ride roughshod over their wishes,

"This could be the first of many demonstrations because we really have to raise the profile of problems affecting such families as the Sukulas, one of which is Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act which threatens to take their children into care if parents can't provide for them."

More than 2,000 people, including celebrities, have signed a petition on behalf of the Sukulas.

(Since the article was published Destin is now known as Destino)