A nine-year-old chess prodigy from Woolwich whose family was at risk of being deported from the UK will now be able to stay in the country due to his "world class talent."

Shreyas Royal has been dubbed "the finest chess player of his generation" and was competing in international tournaments at the age of eight.

Despite his incredible achievements, News Shopper reported in May that his family could be sent back to India as his father, Jitendra Singh's visa was about to expire.

At the time, Mr Singh said it would be a disaster for his son, who has lived in Woolwich since the age of three. He said Shreyas had learnt everything he knew about chess in the UK.

Now Mr Singh has revealed his family have been allowed to remain in the UK for another five years by the Home Office, because of the "exceptional circumstances" of Shreyas's talent.

"We have been waiting for a very long time, it's such a relief for us," he said.

"We are very much happy that my son can continue.

"Shreyas became very happy and jumped on the sofa and started dancing.

"Yesterday we were packing to leave, we thought we had to go."

Mr Singh added his son will keep representing the country in chess tournaments now he has been allowed to stay here.

Shreyas is currently a member of Battersea Chess Club, which has described him as: "one of the most exciting prospects in English chess."

A spokesman for the English Chess Federation said they are "delighted" Shreyas and his family are able to stay in the UK, and said Shreyas is second in the world ranking for his age.