A SPECIAL church service is being held to highlight the case of a deaf charity worker who campaigners say has been unfairly imprisoned in India.

Ian Stillman has spent two years in prison in India after being accused of possessing cannabis.

The 52-year-old, from York, is profoundly deaf and disabled, and as a Christian charity worker has spent 25 years working with deaf people in India. At his trial, he was denied a sign language interpreter.

Those campaigning for his release report that the Indian courts also wrongly claimed he was a wanted criminal in the UK and was not deaf, but refused to look at medical evidence proving his deafness.

A petition of more than 5,000 signatures demanding his release was handed to the House of Commons about two months ago and his family is also fighting to secure his release.

The service will take place at St Nicholas Church, in Durham's Market Place, on Monday, when Mr Stillman's sister, Ali Phelps, will speak and prayers will be said.

One of the organisers, Mary Tomkinson, said: "There is considerable support and concern for Ian in the area, so we have arranged a service to enable everyone to come together to find out more about his situation and to pray for his release."

The service begins at 7.30pm. For details, ring Mary Tomkinson on 0191-384 3801.