Twins due to be deported today are pinning their hopes on an 11th-hour appeal for a judicial review lodged at the High Court by their solicitor.

Kamila and Karina Kaya, 18, came to the UK three years ago from the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan after their parents were murdered and have been "adopted" by the Jewish community in Birmingham.

Campaigners managed to postpone their expulsion in January and arranged a permanent safe haven for them in Israel. But the girls declined the offer, saying they now regarded the UK as their home.

On Thursday the GCSE students were detained by immigration officials in Solihull after their third appeal to remain in the UK failed.

Yesterday campaigners were told the Home Office had booked two one-way seats on a plane leaving for Kyrgyzstan at 1.30pm today and they were taken to Yarlswood detention centre, near Bedford.

Campaigner Mik Barton said an application for judicial review had been accepted by the High Court and supporters were "quietly optimistic".

Sharon Grey, a social worker from the Birmingham Jewish Community Care charity, who is in Yarlswood with the twins, said Karina had been "very ill" and was seen by a doctor.

A Home Office spokesman said it would not comment on individual cases.