Petition supports X-factor's Gamu

THE CHURCH attended by former X-factor contestant Gamu Nhengu and her family has gathered 10,000 names on a petition to stop her being deported.

Hillfoots Evangelical Church in Tillicoultry began collecting names on Thursday,and in less than four days almost 5,000 people in Clackmannanshire had signed up. Thousands more signed online.

Gamu, 18, her mother Nokutula Ngazana, and her two brothers Milton, 11, and Mati, nine, regularly worship in the small church where Gamu sings in the choir.

Pastor John Locke said: "The family have been very encouraged by the support they have received. No person knows how they are perceived in their community until something like this happens. They are showing remarkable resilience."

One prayer said at the evangelical church asked: "Lord, we ask you to allow Mati, Milton, Nokutula and Gamu to continue to flourish here in the United Kingdom for the benefit of all.

"Lord, as your people, we submit to your care the well-being of this family."