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Residents of a north England village are rallying behind a New Zealand sports coach facing deportation after his work permit expired.
Kerry Hurst, 32, moved to the Cumbrian village of Kirkby Stephen seven years ago, where he has been credited with setting up a youth group for teenagers and reviving the fortunes of the local rugby and cricket teams.
His original five-year work permit expired in February 2007. He worked as an accounts manager for a bakery which changed its name after being taken over, and his failure to alert the Home Office of the change of company name led to allegations he lied in efforts to remain in Britain, the Sunday Sun newspaper reported.
He has been told to leave England by the end of April.
"I have worked legitimately in this country since I got here, I've got no criminal record, and I have never sponged a benefit," Mr Hurst said. "It seems crazy that I am being deported when murderers and rapists are allowed to stay in Britain at the taxpayers' expense.
"They've told me I could apply for another work permit once I get to New Zealand ... but this whole affair has left a bitter taste."
Over half of the 1200 residents of Kirkby Stephen signed a petition calling for Mr Hurst to stay, but last week the Border and Immigration Agency upheld its decision.
A Home Office spokesman said: "It is up to him to make the arrangements to return to New Zealand, otherwise it may be necessary to force him to leave the country."
Trevor Braithwaite, president of Upper Eden rugby club, which Kerry led to promotion, said: "It's absolutely sickening that a bunch of bureaucrats are prepared to kick him out of the country when he is just the kind of lad we should be welcoming with open arms."
- NZPA
