Family and friends today said their tearful goodbyes to a popular barman facing deportation.

Fredel Buenavista, 32, who lives in Leybourne, will voluntarily fly to the Philippines this afternoon after the Home Office detained him earlier this month.

Friends gathered at the bar where he worked, The Royal Albion, in Maidstone's St Faith's Street, where a collection of more than £1,000 to help pay for his new life was counted up.

The authorities originally planned to deport Mr Buenavista, who has lived in Britain for 12 years and spent most of that time working and paying tax, a week ago.

That decision was overturned on compassionate grounds as his step-father Alan Pratt underwent major stomach surgery last week.

Mr Pratt, 68, said: "He is going to have to steer a different path now. Especially to his mother and sisters, he's their life. When I'm not here he's the one they all turn to. It just doesn't seem right being able to break a family apart like this."

By leaving voluntarily Mr Buenavista, who left the Philippines aged four, could apply for a new visa after 12 months, as opposed to 10 years if he is deported.

He will fly to the country of his birth with his mother, Maria Buenavista, who will stay with him for 28 days.

She said: "It is the first time in 32 years the family will be apart. Not together for Christmas or New Year or birthdays."

As he packed his bags in preparation of leaving for the airport this afternoon Fred told the Kent Messenger: "It's not right, it's not fair. They are getting rid of someone who is working and supporting the community.

"It's starting from scratch. I feel lonely and depressed, I have never lived alone before. I'm trying not to see people to make it easy on myself to leave."

The former UCA student, who went to school in Dartford, moved to Kent from New Zealand with his family, who are all British citizens, at the age of 20.

Mr Buenavista said: “I must have done something right in life and been raised well for this many people to care.”

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch earlier announced her support for the campaign.

She said: “I have taken this to the highest level and have requested an immediate stop on his deportation until I have had the opportunity to speak to the immigration minister about his decision.”

A petition launched recently to appeal the ruling attracted more than 3,000 signatures in three days and Fred’s family is seeking a human rights lawyer to take on his case.

The Home Office declined to comment.