The British-born five-year-old son of refugees who fled to Oxford from a war zone could be forced out of the country by immigration officials after his parents lost their fight for asylum.

Irena Deda and Armand Zani, both 22, escaped wartorn Kosovo in 1999 after their homes were destroyed in a civil war and set up home as refugees in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys.

The couple celebrated the birth of son Jeffrey a year later and he has just started school at St John Fisher RC Primary School in Blackbird Leys while his mother is taking a degree at Oxford Brookes University.

But immigration chiefs have rejected the family's application for asylum and all three are awaiting deportation back to the Balkan state.

More than 250 parishioners at The Sacred Heart Church in Blackbird Leys have signed a petition with support from Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, urging the Home Office to put the deportation on hold.

Miss Deda said: "I can't leave my son here alone. Blackbird Leys has been great -- the people have been very supportive.

"But Jeffrey doesn't understand at the moment. He sees me upset but I don't want to distress him.

"He has never been to Kosovo and I have never spoken to my parents since we left.

"He was born in this country and he only knows this place as his home. But I really don't know what to say to him or how to explain it.

"My house was destroyed and I have no contact with my parents. I want to carry on here and do my best to build a future for my son."

The couple were aband- oned by their parents in Kosovo because Irena Deda is a Catholic and her partner a Muslim.

Since living in Blackbird Leys, Irena has taken English lessons, passed an access course and is currently in her second year at Oxford Brookes University studying International Relations and Social Studies. She hopes to become a social worker.

The couple heard their application had failed two weeks ago and are now living with friends.

Family friend Diana Tickell said: "Nobody knows when they are going to be deported. It's a terrible thing to have to live on and never know when this knock on the door is going to come.

"It's terribly distressing for everyone."

Mr Smith contacted the family's solicitors and the Home Office and now believes the only way Jeffrey can stay in Oxford is for mother and son to renew their application without Mr Zani.

Mr Smith said: "I have worked hard to help this family who have very strong support in the Blackbird Leys community.

"I've met them and made extensive representations on their behalf.

"I think Irena and her son have a very strong case under the family amnesty."

Father David Hartley, of Sacred Heart Church in Blackbird Leys, said: "We have got to know the family and the little boy Jeffrey was baptised at our church.

"We feel they have a very good cause and will make a good contribution to this country."

The Home Office said it was unable to comment on individual asylum cases.