More than 70 exiled islanders who swapped their Indian Ocean home for a Crawley motel will this week learn whether they will be allowed to stay in Britain.

The High Court will deliver its judgment on the Diego Garcian's legal action against the Foreign Office for compensation and the right of return.

Last month the refugees were celebrating after a High Court judge ruled their stay in Sussex should be funded by West Sussex County Council.

It meant the group could stay in Crawley to carry on fighting their case for permanent residency.

The council said it should not be forced to pay for the islanders' accommodation, claiming they were not its responsibility.

The bill for supporting them has already soared to more than £500,000, with the council forking out about £1,000 per person per week.

Most of those living in Crawley are scraping by on as little as £30 a week or work in low-paid jobs.

The group was forced to move to Mauritius in the late Sixties and early Seventies when American authorities, aided by Britain, took over their island to build a military base.

Despite holding British passports, they are not entitled to state benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions insists, because they do not pass the habitual residency test.

Group spokesman Narainen Geannoer said: "We want to return to our homeland eventually but this means we can stay to fight for recognition from the British Government.

"We are British passport holders and all we want is the rights owed to us."