A TEENAGE girl has been separated from her mother who was refused entry into the UK in an immigration mix-up.

Mariehel Middleton, 14, is living in Dodworth with her father Barry, while her mother and Barry’s wife Aida, 50, remains in the Philippines where she is originally from.

Barry and Aida began writing to each other in 1998 and eventually married in the Philippines in 2002.

They returned to the UK shortly afterwards and Aida was granted a residency visa to stay.

The couple lived in Barugh Green for 13 years and Aida worked as a cleaner at Cannon Hall. She applied for a British passport but failed the knowledge test.

Three years ago, Barry, Aida and Mariehel returned to the Philippines to build a home where they planned to live once they had retired.

The couple tried to return to the UK in July, mistakenly believing Aida could return on her previous visa but were stopped at Dubai and had to return to the Philippines because Aida had been out of the UK for more than two years meaning she needed to apply for a new visa.

The family returned to the Philippines where they travelled to the capital city, Manila, and applied for a family visa, which was rejected.

It meant Barry and Mariehel had to travel back to the UK without Aida, and they returned on Sunday. They are now living with Barry’s elderly mother.

Aida is staying in rented accommodation in the Philippines, which is being paid for by a friend.

Through tears, Barry, 57, of Stainborough Road, Dodworth, said: “I knew within 24 hours that Aida was right for me, I can’t explain it.

“It was hard to leave her in the Philippines we’ve been married for 16 years and have never been apart. We stay together, as a family. Of course, all this has had an effect on my daughter.

“I don’t care who knows how much I love Aida, I don’t feel that I can live my life without her. She rang this week and she couldn’t even speak.

“Of course she wants to come back to the UK. I don’t know what happens now, that is what is driving me crazy.

“We’re just constantly going to keep applying for visas, we’re constantly wasting our money trying to get her returned to this country. The visas are expensive.”

Barry said Aida had planned to reapply for British passport and resit the knowledge test once she had returned to the UK.

He has contacted his MP Angela Smith for help.

Ms Smith said: “I can write to UK visas to ascertain the reasons why the visa was turned down, and if it was the correct visa (to apply for) and I am awaiting a response from UK visas for that.”