Thanks to the support of generous readers, young Romanian Vasile Onica has been thrown a lifeline.

Vasile, 22, is waiting for the Home Office to agree to extend his visa so he can study at Brighton University.

Because of the UK's immigration laws, the university was the last chance Vasile had of getting permission to stay in England.

In just a few weeks since we highlighted his plight, Vasile has been given enough money to cover the £8,000 tuition fees.

He is only one of many people who have come to England, worked hard and are determined to make a success only to find themselves threatened with being sent back to the very place they wanted to escape.

With frequent criticism of the country's so-called "soft" immigration laws, people like Vasile are often forgotten.

It is clear these laws need to be more flexible so people like Vasile are given a chance to shine.