A FAMILY claim they have been forced into hiding after being deported from their North-East home eight months ago.

Despite a promised review of the Reyes-Prado's case in March, campaigners fighting to get them back to Britain and their home in South Shields, say nothing has been done to secure their return from Colombia.

In desperate phone calls to their friend, Sue Quantrill, the family-of-five said they had been split up and were forced to live in hiding after father, Jhon Reyes-Prado was shot only a month after the Home Office ordered them back to their homeland.

Immigration Minister Des Browne had promised South Shields MP David Miliband that the case would be a priority.

But, Mrs Quantrill, from Whiteleas, South Shields, whose son is close friends with Johann, 13, the only English-speaking member of the Reyes-Prado family, said: "They're desperate."

She added: "Johann phones my son regularly in an awful state."

Jhon and Mary Reyes-Prado fled Colombia with Johann, 13, and his brother, Andres, eight, in October 2000, after Jhon's life was threatened by paramilitaries who had already killed his brother.

Mr Miliband said: "Their solicitors have told us that all activity should be channelled through them. I remain ready to help the family in any way I can."

Family solicitor, Claire Ganning, said: "We are pursuing an appeal in order to secure their return to the UK and awaiting documentation. We are doing our level best to hurry things up."