Sanctuary family allowed to stay

A couple and their three children who have been taking sanctuary in a church for three years were given permission last night to stay in Britain. Sunday Ogunwobi, an environmentalist, his wife, Bunmi, and their children aged four, eight and 10, were told they would not be deported to Nigeria. They sought sanctuary in the Downs Baptist Church, in Hackney, east London, in March 1994 - the day before they had been ordered to leave the country.

They have been in Britain for 15 years - the last three years living in two rooms at the church. Their church stay is thought to be the longest- running church sanctuary in British history.