A Czech family has been summoned to a crunch immigration meeting which could mean a father and son being deported before Christmas - leaving a mother and young sister behind in Westcliff.

Deaf five-year-old Zdenek Dzudza and his father of the same name, have been battling to stay in the country after being persecuted at home because of their Romany roots.

The child was today starting his education at Glebe County Infant School partially hearing unit, in Philbrick Crescent, Rayleigh - a chance he would not get at home in the Czech Republic because Romany people are discriminated against.

However, the future he is so desperate for could be all over before Christmas as he and his father fear immediate deportation next week.

The pair have been called to an interview at the immigration office at Heathrow Airport next Friday which they fear could mean they will be on a plane back home.

However, a spokeswoman for the Home Office said it was unlikely they would be put straight on a plane if they were in the middle of an appeal.

If the worst does prove true, the father and son will be split from the rest of the family which has been allowed to stay in England because they arrived separately.

Zdenek's mother Alena and two-year-old sister Jesika will not follow for fear of the life they left behind. Alena already had some of her fingers cut off by persecutors and a brother-in-law was murdered at the hands of racists. The family claims they have been warned they will be murdered if they return home.

It was hoped the family could be kept together to face a happy future in Southend when solicitors Dhillon and Co, in Clarence Street, Southend, realised the new human rights laws could be their saviour.

Research into the new law has held up procedures but it could now prove too late to help.

By Kelly Clark

Reporter's e-mail: kellyc@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.