LAST-DITCH efforts were being made in a bid to stop a mother and her son from being deported today.

Gabrielle Batola and her son Mathieu were due to be deported to the Republic of Congo from where she fled fearing for her life six years ago.

Since then she has made a home for herself in Southampton where she had her son four years ago.

However, after her visa to stay ran out and subsequent appeals failed, the pair were taken into custody and spent Christmas at an immigration centre before her removal which was set for today.

Despite being born in the UK, Mathieu has no legal right to remain in the country.

A team of supporters have since been campaigning for their release and to postpone her deportation so that fresh evidence, which they claim proves her life would be at risk, can be heard.

Among those backing Gabrielle’s bid to stay is the Bishop of Winchester the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt who has personally written to the Immigration Minister Phil Woolas.

Her legal team at Dent Abrams solicitors in Middlesex have lodged an appeal with the European Court of Justice and were still waiting to hear whether they would order proceedings be postponed.

Gabrielle also has the support of the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group who help asylum- seekers in the area.

It is the fourth time she has been taken into custody as previous attempts to deport her have been unsuccessful.

Last night she remained at the Yarl’s Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire awaiting her flight back to the Republic of Congo, that borders war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Home Office said they were unable to comment on individual cases but previously said that they only remove people when an independent court has agreed with the decision.