AN American woman who has lived in Chippenham for more than two years is being forced to leave the UK after she was refused a visa, sparking a social media campaign among local friends to allow her to remain.

Pamela Carlson moved to the UK six years ago on a work permit to live with her partner in Scotland, before she was eventually granted a domestic partnership visa.

Their relationship broke up soon afterwards and Miss Carlson moved to Chippenham to continue working as a flight attendant, a job which she has had for 19 years.

The 57-year-old received a letter from the Home Office last week saying she wouldn’t be allowed to stay in the UK, as her domestic partnership visa expired in October and her two applications for another visa were rejected.

People have taken to social media to offer their support for Miss Carlson and raised more than £700 as she battles to stay in the country.

“People have been so supportive of me, I can’t believe what they have been doing,” added Miss Carlson, who lives in Kington St Michael.

“They’ve started a fund for me and I had a lawyer call me to help out.

“This is my home and I love it here. I was devastated when I found out.

“This letter states I have to leave because I’ve spent the better part of my life in the US and that due to the experience I have in the UK it shouldn’t stop me gaining employment in the US, but I came here with my job.

“I’ve already spent £3,000 on applications and don’t have any more money but they’ve stopped me from working so how do I stay here?”

Miss Carlson has been forced to place her dog, Rosie, who she adopted shortly after moving to Chippenham, in foster care and is in the process of dismantling her home.

“I have no family that I have contact with in America, my parents are gone,” she said.

“Rosie was my family and that dog changed my life, she gave me stability.

“At the moment I’m waiting for work to post me somewhere else in America so that could happen at any time.

“I don’t know where I’m going.”