Sapper Ian Collins was collecting weapons from rebels

An investigation came to an end earlier this week after the authorities in Macedonia said there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution against eight youths who had been arrested.

Now the president has told the family during a meeting that he will look again into the case.

The MoD had been informed the case would close at 1530 local time (1430 GMT) on Friday unless the family successfully lodged an appeal.

Parents Sue Collins, 42, and Kevin, 45, from Sheffield, flew to Macedonia earlier in the week after hearing there would be no charges.

Youths' confession

They were planning to hold a press conference on Friday in an effort to get new information.

Macedonian police had previously indicated the teenagers would be charged with committing "serious acts against public security", a charge between manslaughter and murder in gravity.

All eight had initially confessed to local police they were involved in the incident but later denied the charge when they appeared before the investigating judge.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged on Wednesday to do everything possible to get justice for the Collins family after the issue was raised in the House of Commons.