The 66-year-old, who faces being returned to India after coming to the UK to help care for her two grandchildren after their mother was killed in a road accident, will be able to plead her case at an immigration tribunal next month.

The appeal has been submitted after an immigration lawyer, a law graduate and a barrister all stepped in to pledge their help Mrs Joseph after hearing about her plight in The News.

Click here to sign The News' Let Her Stay petition.

The lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous, has given Mrs Joseph advice free of charge and helped her lodge an appeal against the Home Office's decision.

University of Portsmouth law graduate Miriam Havergal, 20, of Clovelly Road, Southsea, has volunteered to help the family prepare paperwork ahead of the hearing in Feltham, Middlesex.

And barrister Ravinder Bagral from Warwick House Chambers in London has agreed to represent Mrs Joseph at the hearing for free.

The lawyer said: 'The welfare of the children is at the heart of Mrs Joseph's application.

'Mrs Joseph must apply for discretionary leave to remain.

'I wanted to help them because it's clear the children are settled here. Joel loves school and wants to stay in the UK.'

Mrs Joseph wants to remain in the UK to care for her grandchildren Joel, nine, and Jiya, five, after their mother Shini Jose was killed when she was hit by a lorry in London Road, North End, in June last year.

Her husband, Jose Joseph, 47, of Centaur Street, Buckland, said: 'I'm very happy that the lawyer helped us fill in the forms and send them off. I'm very pleased the lawyer was able to give us advice.

'I am very grateful for all the support that we've been given by people in the area and by The News.

'I went into North End to ask people to sign the petition.

'People were asking me how the Home Office could make its decision.

'Everybody knew what had happened to my wife.

'They've been so supportive and helpful – there are so many people deserving of my thanks.'