A British grandmother who moved to Australia to be with her only family now faces being deported after her visa was declined because she is "too ill".

Fran Davies was in good health when she moved from Hartlepool to Perth in 2009 to be with her son and daughter following the death of her husband.

But 18 months later Fran developed a rare blood disorder and has had to have numerous blood transfusions since. The cold can also make her condition worse.

Immigration officials say the grandmother-of-four could be a burden to the country's healthcare system and have declined her a permanent visa.

But her family argue she would have no one to support her if she was returned to the UK.

Daughter Karen Brabham and her brother Kevin Stevens, 47, are appealing against the decision.

They have launched an online petition 'FightforFran' to try and persuade the Australian government to let her stay, which has so far gained 2,000 signatures.

Karen, 51, said: "Our concern is that at the age of 75 she would be returning to the UK homeless and penniless and with no family support.

"My brother and I are mum's last remaining relatives and we have grave concerns for her health if she were to return to the UK.

"To do that to mum when she is like she is with no family and all the financial burden it's going to cause her is just cruel."

Fran said: "My house went, all my furniture. I have no one.

"I can't imagine getting off a plane at Newcastle airport with nobody to pick me up and no home, so what would I do?"

Appealing to the Australian authorities, she added: "l just want them to have some compassion for me and my family."

In a statement, the Australian Immigration Department said a visa could not not be granted where the applicant fails to meet the health requirement.

It added: "The health requirement is an objective assessment to determine whether the care of the individual in Australia would likely result in significant costs to the Australian community or prejudice the access of Australian citizens and permanent residents to services in short supply."