A mum who has lived in Medway for more than 50 years has been told she could be deported to South Africa.

Eve Woods came to Britain when she was just four and this is the only home she has ever really known.

She lives in Rochester with her partner and has two sons living here while her elderly father is in a local care home.

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The 57-year-old was devastated when government officials told her she had failed to show she has "settled status" here.

Eve, of Leander Road, travelled to the UK from South Africa on her mum's passport in 1962 with her mother and two siblings.

After three years living in north London, the family came to Medway. In the 50 years since then, Eve has been educated here, worked, been married twice, brought up three sons and mourned one of them, James, who died in 2003.

VIDEO: Eve Woods' tearful interview after being told she may be taken away from her family and deported to South Africa - a place she hasn't been to since she was four. Ben Kennedy reports

But after deciding it was time to go back to work when her youngest son, Shane, turned 18, she hit a problem with her paperwork.

Eve started a job as a carer in September last year, but three months later her employer asked her for proof that she was allowed to work in Britain.

Eve, who lives with her partner, Dave Gregory, then had to apply to the Home Office for a No Time Limit permit, which would allow her to remain in the UK indefinitely, but she was refused.

Despite providing a National Insurance number, marriage certificates, and her sons’ birth certificates, the government department told her she was unable to demonstrate that she had settled status in the UK.

Eve was then sent a letter from Capita, on behalf of the Home Office, which said she was liable to be deported.

"I don't know anyone in South Africa. I don't have any family there. I'm devastated" - Eve Woods

It read: "We are contacting you because the Home Office has informed us that you do not have permission to be in the United Kingdom. Whilst you remain in the UK without leave you are liable to be removed."

Eve said: "I feel like a criminal. All I wanted to do was get a job and earn some money for myself.

"I didn’t want to get citizenship as I don’t see why I need to take a citizenship test when I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve never known anything different.

"I don’t know anyone in South Africa. I don’t have any family there. I’m devastated."

Eve also looks after her elderly father, who lives in a care home in Rochester, and said there would be no one to help him if she was forced to leave the country.

She has contacted Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst who is investigating Eve's case with the Home Office.

Eve's appeal will include details of her medical records including immunisations when she was of pre-school age.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We have been in touch with Ms Woods via her MP, to explain the options available to her, which includes the option of making another application.

"All immigration applications are treated on their individual merits and on the basis of the evidence provided."