AN African churchman and his family have won a seven-year battle to stay in Glasgow.

Pastor Makieokele Daly says he feels like he has been freed from prison.

After years of waiting and worrying, having his asylum case repeatedly rejected and being locked up on three occasions, Pastor Daly has been given permission to stay on in the city indefinitely.

He and wife Isabella burst into tears when their lawyer called to say the Home Office had shown the entire family mercy.

The couple's children - Rachel, 19, Josue, 17, Linda, 16, and Isaac, 13, can now start planning their futures.

Pastor Daly, 45, said: "When my solicitor called to give me the news I just couldn't believe it.

"I thought I was dreaming. So I went to his office to see the documents for myself and that's when I realised it was real. I was even happier when I went home to tell my children."

In the Red Road flats, where they have lived since October 2000, the Daly family are well known and loved.

On Wednesdays and Sundays hundreds cram into the Pentecostal Church of Redemption in Royston to hear the pastor's sermons.

The family came here following death threats in Angola after Pastor Daly defied Government orders to spy on members of his congregation. He is certain to be murdered if he returned there.

Despite repeated Home Office rejections, the family never lost hope.

On two occasions all six were detained, but each time they secured an appeal and galvanised support for their campaign to stay.

Community workers, trade unionists and politicians have all offered their support.

The Daly family say they would not have won their case without Glasgow lawyer Fraser Latta.

Mr Latta, of Hamilton and Burns, said: "When I took on the case I was told there was no hope. But I secured a judicial review."

Margaret Woods, of Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, said: "I've received dozens of calls from supporters.

"We are all going to church on Sunday. It will be a celebration."