Hopes are rising that a Cornish businessman stranded in Bali since February after losing his passport will be able to return home soon.

Married father of one, Agung Mantra, originally from Indonesia, owns two shops in Perranporth, has lived there for 14 years and has a child in a local school.

After a trip to Bali to buy stock for his shops, Mr Mantra lost his passport, and the Home Office has refused to re-issue his documents, leaving him to stay with relatives while his family returned back to the seaside town.

MP Sarah Newton said she has raised Agung’s case directly with the Minister for Immigration and was in daily contact with his office to chase progress.

Adding that the Home Office are looking to confirm that Indefinite Leave to Remain was granted to Agung in 2001 and that she has provided them with evidence of this and tabled a parliamentary question on Agung's plight.

Mrs Newton said that Agung’s solicitors have confirmed that their records show that Agung was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain status on August 28, 2001.

Mrs Newton said she was 'delighted' to recieve an email from the Immigration and Security Minister's Office to confirm that the Home Office has confirmed a grant of ILR was made in 2001 and it has been issued and that Mr Mantra has been informed of this decision and arrangements are being made to have the visa issued into his passport.