A TEENAGE refugee is facing deportation because he is too old to be fostered.

Robert Buzi has been living with Audrey Tancred in Lapwing Close, Minster, since he came over to Britain from Albania as an unaccompanied minor four years ago.

He climbed onto a lorry and was picked up by the authorities in Dover. He has no family in Albania after both his parents were killed.

Mrs Tancred fostered him as soon as he arrived, but now that he has turned 18 he is classed as a refugee and must go back.

She says she has tried to adopt him, but this is not legally possible.

She said: "We just need to get this ridiculous law changed so people like Robert can stay in the country.

"If he had done something wrong then I could understand him having to go back. I’ve had him for four years and never had any trouble."

Robert has already gained an NVQ Level 2 in Engineering at Minster College and has got a place at Canterbury College in September to study Construction.

He said: "I have made a lot of friends here, and I like living here. I want to stay and continue studying."

Mrs Tancred added: "The government doesn’t realise that he has nothing to go back to and I believe they have taken away his human rights.

"Everyone in this street says how kind and considerate he is and they have all signed a petition."

Robert has now got to present his case to the Immigration Department, although he cannot receive legal aid.

"We will fight this every which way we can, they will not beat us," Mrs Tancred added.