SHE may have lost the battle but her supporters are determined she will win the war.

Despite preparing to book her plane ticket home, Filipino nurse Corozan Caro, pictured, has several high-profile allies on her side determined to keep her in the UK working at Southampton General Hospital.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Miss Caro accidentally allowed her visa and work permit to expire by five months.

Home Office ministers ordered her out of the country and refused her the right to appeal.

A plea from her main supporter, Allen Reilly, a Unison branch secretary for her to be allowed an in-country visa application fell on deaf ears.

As Miss Caro, known as Colou to friends, prepares to pack her bags and return to the Philippines to make another visa applications, her supporters are rallying.

Southampton Itchen MP Alan Whitehead has asked Home Office minister Tony McNulty to allow the nurse to make an in-country visa application.

He felt common sense would prevail but added if Miss Caro had to return to the Philippines to reapply for her visa the process could take months.

Now Mr Reilly has written to Home Secretary John Reid urging him to allow Miss Caro to make an in-country visa application.

The Philippine Nurses Association of the UK have added their voice to the fight, also writing to ministers Mr McNulty and Mr Reid to ask for Miss Caro's case to be reconsidered.

President of the association Michael Duque said: "While convicted killers and bombers were allowed to stay in the country and eventually terrorise this great nation, people like Corazon who have served, cared for and nursed hundreds of people during her limited stay are asked to leave simply for an oversight."

Miss Caro, of Dale Road, Shirley said: "This is turning into the biggest and most expensive mistake of my life. I am not a criminal, this was just a simple blunder.

"I am worried as I am not earning money and I am the main breadwinner for my family back at home. I just want to put on my uniform and go back to work."

The A&E nurse, who has been working in Southampton for three-and-a-half years, has pledged she will return even if it means going back to the Philippines and starting the whole visa process again.