Watford midfielder Al Bangura has won his appeal to stay in the UK after being awarded a work permit at a hearing this afternoon.

The 19-year-old was originally refused leave to stay in this country last month and was set to be deported to his native Sierra Leone.

But after a meeting with Home Office minister Liam Byrne, the club were handed the unusual option of applying for a work permit - which has now been granted.

A six-strong committee made up of three Home Office officials and three football experts decided that Bangura was a footballer who could add to the status of the professional game in this country.

Watford chairman Graham Simpson told the club's official website www.watfordfc.co.uk: "We always knew that we had a strong case and, despite our setbacks, we knew we had to fight for what we believed to be right for this young man.

"Al will now continue to contribute to our society which I know he feels a debt of gratitude towards.

"I would like to personally thank all the Watford fans whose backing of Al has been so crucial to moving this forward and securing his immediate future in the UK."

Bangura became a father just last month and is closing in on a return to fitness after missing the whole season with a broken arm and an ankle injury.

The Coca-Cola Championship club will continue their legal battle to ensure that Bangura is able to remain in the country beyond the period that his current work permit is valid for.

Watford Labour MP Claire Ward was integral in taking Bangura's fight to the Home Office and felt common sense had prevailed.

She said: "This is the right decision and proves what we have said all along that Al has an exceptional case.

"I am delighted that common sense has been reached and thank all those supporters in Watford and beyond who helped keep up the pressure on the authorities."