MY NEW HOME

Imran's mum moved to Britain to live with his British Pakistani step-father, her second husband, after her family arranged their marriage. Imran was six. He stayed with his grandma in Pakistan. His mum tried to get him a visa, but she had no paperwork that proved he was her son, and it took five years for the immigration officials to recognise the family likeness, and allow Imran to join her. He finally travelled to Britain in September 2005.

Imran spoke no English when he first arrived. He was fascinated by his new environment and pleased to see that there were "no goats". But the novelty wore off after a while and he became very homesick. Imran was free to explore the countryside in Pakistan, and he finds Britain constricting. He says there are no open spaces to play in. He still speaks broken English but has a hilariously cheeky sense of humour which comes over very strongly! He loves dancing and reciting Islamic verses. He has a gorgeous singing voice.

Lately Imran has managed to start a cricket craze at school and it's earned him lots of new friends. He plays cricket every chance he gets and it has stopped him being quite so homesick.