A MOTHER who fears for her and her daughter’s lives if they are deported will discover in the coming weeks if she can stay in Bolton.

Farida Yeasmin, who has thyroid cancer, has appealed a Home Office decision to send her back to Bangladesh, which she fled in 2006 after facing years of abuse from her in-laws and later religious persecution when she changed her faith.

She and her daughter, Banna, aged 16, made a new home in Halliwell but have had their asylum application refused.

Ms Yeasmin has made a desperate bid to stay through launching the appeal.

She is being supported by campaigners, who staged a fundraising and awareness event at the Bolton Socialist Club on Friday.

It featured music, dance and poetry from British and Bangladeshi performers.

Ms Yeasmin, aged 36, claims she was just 19 years old when she was forced to work “like a servant” for her husband’s family.

In 2005, she converted to a different sect of Islam, which led to death threats at gunpoint.

Since moving to Bolton, she has volunteered in the community, and has heard “wanted posters” were handed out in Bangladesh.

Ms Yeasmin said: “My daughter and I are very scared. We have no family and our lives will be in danger.

“I will not be able to get treatment, we are both suffering already.

My daughter is to do her GCSEs this year, it is an important year for her.”

Campaigner Margaret Manning said: “Her appeal focussed on her change of religion and the hostility she faced due to this, health issues and the rights of a child. We hope this will be successful.

“People in Bolton and Greater Manchester are campaigning hard for them to be allowed to stay in the UK in safety.”

A petition with hundreds of signatures has been passed on to the Home Office Mrs Manning said: “She also has support from Julie Hesmondhalgh, Hayley in Coronation Street, and scores of local people.”