A KURDISH refugee with relatives in Huddersfield has badly burned himself with an iron after losing his fight to stay in this country.

Now, the man's brothers - who fear he will harm himself again - have launched a last-ditch bid to persuade immigration officials to let him stay.

Sahmi Khalaf, 28, came to Britain from Syria as an illegal immigrant three years ago.

He had been living in Nelson, Lancashire, while his case for refugee status was considered.

During that time, he also stayed with his brothers, Khalil and Mukles, who have been granted asylum and live with their families in Almondbury and Deighton.

However, the brothers said that Sahmi was told a week ago that his application had been rejected.

He was detained by immigration officers in Nelson and taken to a detention centre at Campsfield, near Oxford.

Sahmi was due to be sent home on a flight last week - but was taken to Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after burning himself with an iron.

Now, the brothers have urged Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman and Gordon Prentice, MP for Pendle, which covers Nelson, to take up his case.

His bid to stay is also being supported by Huddersfield-based support group Kirklees Refugees And Friends Together (Kraft).

Alan Brooke, Kraft office manager, said: "Sahmi is a Kurd, a member of a persecuted minority in Syria.

"He is also a member of the Kurdish opposition party. Members of his party have faced increased persecution over the past few months.

Mr Brooke added: "The US has acknowledged that the Syrian regime supports terrorism and it is acknowledged as an oppressive regime.

"Sahmi would be a target if he returned."

Mr Brooke went on: "Sahmi has had three years of anxiety. There are stories of people going back to Syria and disappearing or being jailed and tortured. It seems an insane decision to send him back."

A Home Office spokeswoman said she could not discuss individual cases, but all asylum seekers had the right to appeal against a decision to repatriate them.

She added: "The health of anyone in detention is of great concern.

"We make sure they receive appropriate treatment and that they are properly fit to travel."