Heads of language schools in Brighton and Hove have pleaded for more pressure to be put on the Government to change visa rules they fear could cripple their industry.

New restrictions came into force on March 3 to try and stop illegal immigrants abusing the system.

They stipulate that students wanting to study in the UK for more than six months must prove they already speak GCSE-standard English.

In a letter sent to MPs and councillors, the owners and principals of 19 city schools say this could have a “catastrophic”

impact. The letter states: “We expect to lose virtually all of our South Korean, Japanese, Saudi Arabian, South American and other visa national students, a loss of around 25-30% of our business.”

Enforcing a minimum standard of English is “absurd”, the letter adds.

It says: “Many of our students come from countries such as Japan with a low level of English and want to stay here for nine months or more to improve.”

Losing thousands of students each year would also have a huge knock-on effect on the wider Brighton and Hove economy.

Latest figures from English UK, the umbrella organisation for language schools, revealed that the industry is worth £115 million each year to Brighton and Hove alone.

But there is still some hope that the change can be reversed. David Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, has called for a Commons debate on the issue. He was sent the letter along with Hove MP Celia Barlow, Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner, Ted Kemble, the city council’s cabinet member for enterprise and David Smith, cabinet member for tourism.

Mr Lepper has asked to meet immigration minister Phil Woolas next week to try and convince him to change the legislation.