FEMALE Italian immigrants who settled in Bradford during the 1950s and 60s are fearing for their future due to Brexit.

The women came to work in the mills around the district and have lived here without any issues for around 60 years.

Now, they face having to apply to stay in the country as EU citizens, with confusion arising as to why they have to register for residency in a country they consider as “home”.

Maria Tuxford, who like many of her fellow Italian mill workers does not hold a UK passport, arrived in Bradford as a 21-year-old to work at Daniel Illingworth Mill. She is now 79 and is exasperated by the situation.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, she said: “I pay tax, National Insurance and I’ve done nothing wrong in my time here.

“I married an Englishman in 1965. I also have two sons born in Bradford, and three grandkids.

“I didn’t think it would affect us when the country voted Leave and I still can’t see the reason in sending us back.

“It was very stressful moving over here and leaving my family. It was a dark time for me but things are much better now.

“I’m more English than Italian and I feel like a foreigner there. My home and my life are over here.

“If it comes to needing a document to allow me to stay, then of course I’ll get it.”

Ms Tuxford attends the Italian Catholic Church Mission on Little Horton Lane once a week and she said: “The community gets together and it’s nice not to be stuck inside my own four walls.

“We chat about life, play games and eat together. I am worried about what will happen to us because you just don’t know which way the government are going to turn.”

Catholic Mission volunteer Edo Nannelli said: “We’re supporting the ladies in applying for stamps from the Home Office.

“They’ve been here for 60 years and contributed to their community but it doesn’t seem to count for anything. They’ll have to pay £65 just to stay here.

“They’re suffering like the Windrush Generation. They moved when they were about 20 and most are 80 or over now.

“The ladies are all good friends. They have a good rapport with many English and Asian people in Bradford and several of them have married Polish or Russian nationals.

“They have made every effort to learn the language well too.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We want EU citizens living in the UK to stay and the Settlement Scheme will make it easy for them to obtain the immigration status they need.

“We are clear that no-one will be left behind and are providing up to £9m funding and working closely with organisations that are supporting vulnerable or at risk people, and their family members, through the application process. We are using all available channels to reach these people.”