An Australian family threatened with deportation from their home in the Highlands have been told they can stay until August, but will not have the right to work.

The Brain family, who stay in Dingwall, Ross-shire, face deportation after not meeting the requirements of a tier two visa.

The family's MP, Ian Blackford, said the Home Office has now granted the family leave to remain until August 1.

But the SNP MP said the decision to refuse Kathryn and Gregg Brain the right to work was "unfair and pigheaded."

Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Theresa May on May 16, asking the minister to "urgently clarify" why the family could not stay in Scotland.

Mr Blackford said: "I find it utterly incredulous that Home Office minister James Brokenshire has decided to extend the Brain family's right to stay in their home in Scotland but refused to grant them the right to work.

"How does he expect Kathryn, Gregg and Lachlan to make ends meet until the beginning of August while the UK government refuses to allow them to work?

"Both Kathryn and Gregg have secured jobs in the local area, which would benefit the local economy and allow them to continue the enormous contribution that they have already made to life in the Highlands.

"What's more is that Kathryn's job for GlenWyvis Distillery is a role aimed at increasing funding for the start-up company which will in turn drive up investment and create more jobs in the Highlands.

"The Tories must urgently rethink this unfair and pigheaded decision - it cannot be right that a young family should have to live with such uncertainty and worry to continue to stay in their home."

The Brain family originally came to Scotland from Australia in 2011 on an earlier immigration scheme which has since been disbanded.

Their seven-year-old son, Lachlan, has been placed in Gaelic education and therefore has Gaelic as his primary language.

The Home Office said it was waiting on receiving evidence of employment which was in line with immigration rules, and that any application for the family to remain would be considered if it is submitted during the period of grace.