A DECISION to deport a woman who came to Winchester to answer a relative's distress call has been described by MP Mark Oaten as the "worst immigration case I've ever known".

Nerissa Dizon stepped in look after the new-born baby of her sister, who was one of two women who died from a rare infection, days after giving birth at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

She had seen how much of a struggle her sister Jasmine Pickett's widower David was having balancing a full-time job, being a new father, and dealing with the loss of his beloved wife.

A trained nanny, the 24-year-old quit her job and left behind family and friends in the Philippines to care for her nephew Christopher at Mr Pickett's Colden Common home.

For the last month her invaluable help has allowed Mr Pickett, 42, to continue his job as a civil engineer without compromising the care for his three-month-old son.

Despite having the blessing of embassy officials in London and Manilla, a minor error in the processing of her visa meant on Monday she was forced out of Britain.

Hopes of an 11th-hour reprieve at Heathrow Airport vanished, and at 10.30pm, she took off for the Philippines on a flight booked for her by the Home Office.

Mr Oaten said: "In effect, the state has killed his wife with a superbug, and now sent her sister home, leaving him holding the baby.

"I'm livid and so cross about it, given that the state has let him down so badly.

"Since she has come over she has been an incredible support, but now David has a three-monthold baby to look after.

"He has literally had his world turned upside down."

Mr Oaten is lobbying immigration chiefs to see if Nerissa can return to Britain.

When Nerissa returned to England last month - having first come over for Jasmine's funeral - an eagle-eyed immigration officer spotted her visa had incorrectly been stamped to allow a single visit only.

Despite pleas for common sense to prevail, and the backing of Mr Oaten, the Home Office insisted it saw "no good reason for her to stay".

Mr Pickett said: "I'm working full time doing 50-hour weeks.

"I can't cope with getting up two or three times a night and then doing a full day. I tried to and it didn't work."

He added: "I can't afford to take on a nanny who would be here 24 hours a day, so Nerissa's been a real godsend.

"She is no burden on the state because I'm paying her way.

"I pointed out to immigration that if she went it would fall to me to be the full-time carer for my son, which means I have to give up work, which means I can't afford the mortgage.

"I would end up having to claim benefits and take council accommodation.

That's got to be pretty expensive for the state."

Now back in the Phillipines, Nerissa has been told to reapply for a working visa. She can come over as a visitor for three months, but she wouldn't be allowed to look after the baby.

"She doesn't want to stay here permanently, we just want her to be able to stay for a year or 18 months," Mr Pickett added.