A GRANDFATHER faces deportation from Bolton to Canada after complications over his visa application.

Chris France, aged 54, of Moss Bank Way, Smithills, moved to the area from Toronto five years ago on a work and ancestry visa.

Mr France is now engaged to his neighbour, Joyce France, also aged 54, who has changed her surname.

Born in Canada, Mr France is a father of five and grandfather of six, from a previous marriage.

He said: “It’s a nightmare. I can’t believe they want to to throw me out of the country. Joyce and I are nervous wrecks, we’re both ready to fall apart.

“Where am I going to go, what am I going to do? I don’t have the money to pay for my flights home and nowhere to live if I go back there.”

Mr France’s parents and grandparents were from Bolton and his parents emigrated to Canada in the 1950s.

Since moving to his ancestors’ hometown in September 2008, Mr France has worked as a driver labourer for a Bolton engineering firm.

He left his job on health grounds more than a year ago.

After being informed he had not paid the sufficient amount required to renew his visa, Mr France sent in two further application forms, both of which were refused on the grounds that his visa had expired.

Mr France has now received a letter informing him he will be deported and cannot appeal the decision.

He is seeking legal advice.

Grandmother-of-six Miss France, who works for the council, said: “We know what the government’s like, but this is criminal.

“We understand where they are coming from, but we are so disappointed they haven’t even given us the chance to appeal.”

A Home Office spokesman added: “All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules. Mr France was granted leave to enter the UK in September 2008. He has made further applications which have all been refused.”