An American academic and his Scottish wife are leaving the country today after falling victim to a recent change in immigration laws.

Andrew Wilbur, who has lived in Scotland for more than 14 years, and his wife Laura Francescangeli, will fly to Italy as he no longer meets the criteria to stay here because their household income in the past year did not reach £18,600.

The couple have been married for six years and Mr Wilbur, 32, who recently completed a PhD in human geography from Glasgow University, had been approached about the possibility of  a temporary teaching job at the university.

The Herald revealed on Saturday he had been told by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials his application for a "leave to remain" visa would be refused.

Mr Wilbur and Ms Francescangeli are now being forced to go and live with her parents who are spending their retirement in Italy.

The graduate said: "I feel like I'm having to start from scratch again, and Laura is obviously leaving behind everything she's used to, so for her it's very difficult."

The couple have been contacted by several immigration campaign groups, who plan use their case as an example of what is wrong with the country's immigration policy.

The income threshold was only introduced on marriage visa applications in July this year as part of a Government crackdown on immigration and sham marriages.

Applicants must meet the minimum household income of £18,600 in the 12 months prior to the application.

As Mr Wilbur had been studying and his wife was on Jobseeker's allowance in between flying to and from Italy to care for her ill father, they did not meet the threshold.