North-East businessman George Reynolds, jailed for tax fraud, has appealed against his sentence.

Lawyers acting for Reynolds, the former owner of Darlington Football Club, have described his three-year jail sentence as "manifestly excessive".

If the appeal is successful the former safecracker could be free by the New Year.

Andrew Clinton, from Meikles Solicitors who is acting on behalf of Mr Reynolds, said today "We have appealed and the papers have been sent to the crown court.

"We've just had the acknowledgment today that they've been received.

"We're now waiting for a date to be set which will hopefully be by the end of the year.

"We've also asked for bail pending the appeal and this may be expedited."

Mr Reynolds, 69, and his cousin Richard Tennick, 59, were jailed last month after pleading guilty to defrauding the tax man out of £650,000 over a six year period.

Mr Reynolds was ordered to pay back £422,252 or face an additional five-year sentence.

Mr Tennick, who was jailed for two years, was ordered to repay £225,747.50 or face an additional three years in prison. He has also appealed against his sentence.

Mr Clinton added: "We are not appealing against the money that has to be paid back, just the three-years.

"The basis for the appeal is that we feel that is manifestly excessive."

The police investigation into Mr Reynolds' finances was begun after he, Mr Tennick and his personal assistant Ian Robinson were stopped by police in June last year with £500,000 in the boot of a car.

Mr Reynolds, who had spells in prison during the 1960s and 1970s for safe-blowing and burglary, became one of Britain's richest men when he built up his fortune through kitchen worktop company George Reynolds UK.

He became chairman of Darlington FC and was responsible for the construction of the club's new stadium.

However, he left the club amid spiralling debts in 2004.