Friends and family of a popular Maidstone barman are heading to Downing Street as part of a campaign to reverse the controversial decision to deport him.

Fredel Buenavista, from Leybourne, was originally set to be deported on September 15 after spending a week at Dover Immigration Removal Centre.

However, he was given a reprieve after a campaign to stop his deportation attracted more than 3,500 signatures and the attention of politicians.

He was released from the centre on compassionate grounds to spend time with his stepfather, Alan Pratt, as he underwent stomach surgery - before voluntarily leaving the UK last Monday.

His mother, Maria, travelled with him but will have to leave in under three weeks.

The 32-year-old former UCA student who moved to the UK at the age of 19 with his family, who are all British citizens, worked at The Royal Albion, near Fremlin Walk in Maidstone, until his work visa expired 18 months ago.

Friend and former colleague Karan Le Quelenec said: “We have not given up the fight to bring back Fred, we’ve renewed the campaign and we are continuing to get support.

“David Cameron tweets about wanting the public’s views on immigration so we are planning to print off the petition and take it to Downing Street.”

More than £1,000 has been raised for Mr Buenavista’s new life but Mrs Le Quelenec said that he is struggling in the Philippines, a country he left at the age of four.

She said: “He has to apply for citizenship and at the moment he is unable to work there.”

By voluntarily leaving the country he will be eligible to apply for a new visa after 12 months.

MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, said she will continue to press for a meeting with Home Secretary, Theresa May, once parliament resumes.