The family of a top doctor threatened with deportation has won the right to stay in England.

Akif Gani has worked in Newcastle for 11 years where he is a leading specialist in stroke rehabilitation and elderly medicine.

Last month the South African was granted indefinite leave to remain but his wife of seven years, Somayya, 29, and their Newcastle-born children Aalia, three, and Shakeel, 11 months, were told to leave.

Dr Gani said he would have to go if his wife and children were deported and this would rob the region of a skilled consultant and leave gaps in Newcastle's NHS.

The popular family, who live in Cochrane Park, High Heaton, appealed against the decision and the Home Office promised a top level review.

After three weeks of deliberation the Ganis have now received their stamped passports and have been granted indefinite leave to remain.

Dr Gani, 36, said: "We are very much relieved and pleased we can now get on with our lives.

"We never expected the original application to be refused so it all came as quite a shock, thankfully everything is now sorted out.

Newcastle East and Wallsend MP Nick Brown, who pressed the Home Office for a review, said: "I am very pleased that this case has had a happy ending and I am very happy for the family.

"I think the Home Office took the right decision in their review by allowing the family to stay together on compassionate grounds.

"This is not just good news for the family but for the NHS on Tyneside."

A spokeswoman for Home Secretary Charles Clarke said today: "The Home Office has reviewed this case and has exceptionally decided to grant indefinite leave to remain to Mrs Gani and her two children."

Dr Gani said he now planned to apply for citizenship for the children and is looking forward to the future in Newcastle.

The deportation threat to Dr Gani's family caused a strong reaction among NHS staff and patients in the region.

Various petitions were started at Newcastle General Hospital and consultant colleagues wrote directly to the Home Office to challenge their initial decision.