Brothers from Springburn seeking asylum with their family have been granted permission to stay in Scotland for the next three years.

Somer Umeed Bakhsh, 16, and 14-year-old Areeb have had community support in their bid for asylum and not be deported to Pakistan where their family fears persecution for their Christian beliefs.

They have been granted “limited leave to remain” in the UK until February, 2022.

The decision also applies to their parents Maqsood and Parveen after a seven and a half year fight.

The family fled to Glasgow in 2012 from Faisalabad after Mr Umeed Bakhsh was subjected to death threats from Islamic extremists due to his Christian faith.

Somer, who recently passed five highers at Springburn Academy, said he was relieved by the decision.

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He said: “We have gone through a tough time and I am really happy that we now have the freedom to stay in the country we love.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because the threat of deportation was always in the back of my mind.

“Scotland is my home, I have grown up here, all my friends are here and I feel like a Scottish boy.

“I am very thankful to everyone who has supported my family and the people who signed the petitions - we could not have got to this point without you.

“But I am disappointed that we will have to apply to the Home Office for an extension in just two and a half years.”

The family has been supported in their campaign by the local Church of Scotland Minister Linda Pollock of Possilpark Parish Church.

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Rev Pollock, said: “I am relieved and feel deep joy that this decision has been made because these youngsters have been living in a psychological prison and in bondage for too long.

“They are brave, inspirational, compassionate, intelligent, well-rounded boys who have experienced sorrow and heartache.

“But through all of this they have maintained their dignity and integrity which has not been easy.

“They have not allowed the barriers of the prison that they have been forced to live in to make them bitter which is a credit to them and their parents.”