FEARS are increasing for two men from the region being held in Indian prisons as tensions mount over a possible nuclear war.

As India and Pakistan gear up for conflict over the disputed Kashmir territory, and Britons are advised to leave, Ian Stillman and Peter Bleach are both seriously ill in Indian jails.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has already raised concerns about the two men at a meeting with Indian Home Minister Kal Advani.

Ian Stillman, 51, who is deaf and has only one leg, was sentenced to ten years in jail after being convicted last year of possessing cannabis.

Attempts to free the charity worker, who has maintained his innocence, have so far failed.

Mr Stillman is diabetic and his family are worried after he experienced loss of feeling in his remaining leg, a symptom of diabetes.

He lost his first leg in a motorcycle accident.

His sister Elspeth Dugdale, 40, of York, said yesterday: "He's in a very vulnerable position because he's in a jail only 100 miles from Kashmir.

"We want the Foreign Office to act extremely quickly and get him out of there, at least to a prison in southern India."

Peter Bleach has been in jail in Calcutta for more than six years for his part in dropping arms and ammunition to rebels in West Bengal.

He has always maintained he was helping British intelligence and Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken up his case. Mr Bleach is seriously ill with TB and has had tests to confirm which type.

Oceana, his elderly mother, said she was extremely concerned for her son's welfare as tensions rise between India and Pakistan.

Mrs Bleach, who lives in Brompton-by-Sawdon, Scarborough, said: "It's all very well advising people to get out of the country but Peter can't and so he's just a sitting duck.

"The situation is not very good at all."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "With regard to the 24 prisoners who are in India and the seven currently on bail, we are monitoring their welfare and are in touch with their families."