A British plane spotter, who received a three-year jail sentence after being convicted of spying in Greece, is calling for financial support from the Government in the fight to clear his name.

Andrew Jenkins is meeting Jack Straw in London later this month, along with 11 other Britons who were found guilty of espionage offences in the southern Greek town of Kalamata.

Mr Jenkins, 32, of Barkston Avenue, Acomb, York, is free on bail pending an appeal and has consistently maintained his innocence.

Now, he says he will be urging Mr Straw to give the group guarantees that they will have the full backing of the British Government at the appeal hearing.

Mr Jenkins said he would also ask if the Government would help with the huge rising costs of the legal proceedings, which are crippling the finances of many of the group's members.

"I want to put across to him that we need a fair hearing, above all.

We need to be sure they know we have done nothing wrong and are the victims of the most bizarre misunderstanding," he said.

"The two Dutch men who were arrested with us had their bail money paid by the Dutch government - it was like there was no question about it. We'd like to know if our Government will do the same for us. After all, we pay our taxes and we think we should have some support.

"They would get their money back eventually because it will be proved that we are innocent. But we can't go on relying on generous benefactors. Some of the other guys are re-mortgaging their houses to cover things."

The group will meet Mr Straw on May 23, but no date has yet been set for the appeal hearing, which will take place in Napflion.

The 12 enthusiasts were on a "plane spotting" holiday when they were arrested at Kalamata air base on November 8 last year.