Supporters of a family of Macedonian refugees will be on the march this Saturday as part of a campaign for them to stay in this country.

An immigration appeal tribunal in London has already declared that Marjun and Lile Dimitrievski, of Redcar, east Cleveland, must return to their own country, along with their two sons, Sasha, 12, and eight-year-old Miki.

The family fled to Britain more than two years ago because of the war in the former Yugoslavia. They say that if they return, Mr Dimitrievski will go to prison because he is a conscientious objector, and his wife and their sons will not be safe.

A campaign was started in Redcar a few months ago in an attempt to persuade the authorities to allow the family to stay because of the boys' education. Miki has never been to school in Macedonia and is doing well at Lakes Primary School, while Sasha attends West Redcar School.

A petition containing more than 900 signatures has been sent to Immigration Minister Lord Jeff Rooker, and the group, headed by the North-East Coalition for Asylum Rights, is hoping soon to arrange a meeting with the minister.

In an attempt to raise further the profile of the case, supporters will be marching through Redcar town centre this weekend and meeting for a rally at Coatham Memorial Hall, at about 12.30pm.

Speakers will include Redcar MP and campaign supporter Vera Baird, along with the Dimitrievskis' local councillor Brenda Forster, the family and representatives from the coalition and the boys' schools.

There will be a stall in the High Street all day, and the march will leave the High Street at about 11.30am.