A KENYAN woman is awaiting the results of an English language test which could determine whether she can stay in York with her English husband.

Marysella Earnshaw, 47, of Haxby, said she took the test at a York college last weekend in the hope it will prevent her being deported back to Kenya.

The Press reported last month how the UK Border Agency had refused her request for a “spouse visa” to remain in Britain.

The Home Office said then she had failed to provide an English language certificate, which was required from Kenyan nationals under immigration rules.

Mr Earnshaw, 43, who married Marysella in January, having met her last year while she was studying for a masters degree at York St John University and while they were both also working as support workers, said he was devastated by the decision.

He said he accepted the need to prevent immigrants trying to stay in Britain through marriages of convenience, but his was a genuine marriage.

He said: “She is the love of my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Marysella, who appealed against the decision, told The Press yesterday she expected to hear the results of the test next week but, in the meantime, the stress had been making her feel unwell. “It has been a tough time,” she said. “I have never had such an experience.”

She said sitting the test had cost them £135 and, because she was banned from working until the result of her appeal was known, they had been facing increasing financial difficulties. As a result, they were now going to live temporarily with her parents-in-law in Haxby.

Mr Earnshaw, who cannot go to live with Marysella in Kenya because he is in remission from bowel cancer and needs regular check-ups at York Hospital, said he thought the test had gone okay but could not be sure his wife had passed. He said she had sat a particularly tough test because it was the only one available to take last weekend.