A HYNDBURN couple who dreamed of spending their retirement years in India have had their hopes shattered after being forced out of the country.

John and Margaret Hall, who had lived in Goa since 2003, were told they would have to leave the country if they wanted to apply for a new six-month visa.

Worse still, the news came a short time after John had suffered a stroke and was not well enough to travel.

Last week the couple, both 60, arrived back in Hyndburn, their dreams of spending the rest of their lives in India in ruins.

And since they sold their house when they first flew out to Goa, they had no address to come back to - and have been forced to stay with relatives in Accring-ton.

The couple first fell in love with India after visiting the country on holiday in 1992 and 1994.

They liked it so much that four years ago they decided to sell up and fly out to start a new life in Goa.

Being retired, they could not apply for a business or employment visa but travelled on a six-month tourist visa.

They say they have previously never had any difficulties in renewing their visa - until this year when the nightmare started.

The couple were faced with a choice of flying to either the UK or to nearby countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand.

They say no explanation was given for the change in the rules and they fear many other British couples could be facing the same problem.

Margaret, a retired home help, said: "John had the stroke on 8 May and we were told on 15 May that we would have to leave India.

"This was despite the fact that he needed time to rest and recover following his stay in hospital. We had to go to Thailand, which cost us about £300.

"On top of that, you have costs like paying for hotels and food while you are waiting for the visa to come through, so it ends up being about £800. You have to basically go out of the country to come back again.

"We just feel really disillusioned about everything as our dreams of living out there have been shattered. Some of our friends who are still out there are facing the same problem and they don't know what to do.''

The Indian Embassy declined to comment.