A 20-year-old man battling to be allowed to stay in the UK has spoken of how the wealth of support he has received from people has helped to give him a little bit of hope.

Jakir Ahmed, who has called Norwich his home since 2008, is currently facing the prospect of being sent back to his native Bangladesh despite him having no known family there and fearing for his safety if he were to return. As previously reported, Mr Ahmed was found on Prince of Wales Road when he was just 14, cold, confused and unable to speak a word of English. Police believed he had been trafficked into the country and forced to work as a domestic slave, and Mr Ahmed has since gone on to build a life for himself here in Norwich with his foster family, the Nunns.

But the family, who live in Ipswich Road, are now fighting for Mr Ahmed to be able to stay in the country, after he received a letter from the Home Office stating he must return to Bangladesh.

A Let Jakir Stay In The UK online campaign - backed by the Evening News - has so far seen more than 1,400 people sign a petition for him to stay in the UK and has been flooded with messages of support.

Mr Ahmed, a former Sewell Park College pupil and keen sportsman who had been due to start an apprenticeship at Norwich International Airport, said the messages were a source of comfort.

He said: 'I am feeling a little bit of hope because everyone is supporting me. I hope for good. I am grateful, very grateful, to see so many people supporting me is unbelievable.'

He said it was difficult facing an uncertain future - currently every Tuesday Mr Ahmed must report to Norfolk police knowing he could be detained that very day to be sent back to Bangladesh.

He said: 'I do not know what's going to happen still so it is a confusing moment. I am trying to live a normal life but it comes to your mind every second about what could happen.'

Norwich South MP Simon Wright has also written to home secretary Theresa May to ask for her help.

The Home Office has previously said it does not routinely comment on individual cases.

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-let-jakir-stay-in-the-uk-with-our-his-family.