CAMPAIGNERS celebrated today after hearing Natasha Kachepa can return to the UK to marry her fianc.

Natasha, 21, who is engaged to Portlander Tom Sanderson, 20, should be back in Dorset in time for Christmas after being granted a visa by the British Government.

The news comes four months after the Kachepa family were sent back to Malawi after a legal battle to keep them in this country failed.

Natasha will initially live with her fianc's family on Portland and her visa stipulates that she must marry Mr Sanderson, an Army mechanic, within six months.

Mr Sanderson was on guard duty at barracks in Norfolk early today and could not comment but his mother Sandie said: "It is great news. There are flights to arrange and all sorts, but all being well she should be with us some time soon.

"It was a very emotional time when the family left, but I think because Tom has spent the last couple of months submitting evidence to support the visa and arranging paperwork his mind has been kept busy."

Natasha was studying media at Weymouth College before she was sent back to Malawi but it is unclear whether she will return to her studies.

Mrs Sanderson added: "She's keen to settle down and get on with a normal life."

Ralph Johnson, the Kachepa family's spokesman, said campaigners were now busy raising funds to pay for air fares and other costs.

He said there would be a screening of the Kachepa documentary Living Statistics in Weymouth to help raise funds.

Mr Johnson said it was now hoped that Tony and Alex Kachepa could also get visas to work or study in Britain.

He added: "It was nonsense that the Government sent them to Malawi at taxpayers' expense knowing full well they could all come back again."