Greece: The parents of a Whitton man held in Greece on spy charges are celebrating after discovering they could have their son home for Christmas.

Graham Arnold, 38, was one of a group of 12 plane spotters arrested on November 8 at an airbase near Kalamata on suspicion of espionage - an offence which carries a 20-year jail sentence.

Despite appearing in court numerous times, they were never charged. Greek officials seized two rolls of film and notebooks from the party of plane enthusiasts, who deny taking photos of a restricted military base.

On Wednesday, their Greek lawyer said the group would be bailed and allowed to travel back to Britain to face reduced charges at a later date. Each defendant will have to pay £9,000 - or five million drachmas- before they are freed.

Grahams father Ron, choked back tears as he described the moment he heard that the nightmare was finally over.

He said: "It was at about 11 oclock this morning when a television crew called up and told me the news.

"We are very relieved. Everybody said that when it did finally happen, it would happen quickly, and thankfully it has. The phones not stopped ringing since we found out, and weve been doing interviews all day."

Mary, Grahams mother described the news as a lovely Christmas present and said it would be wonderful if her son could be home for her birthday on December, 21, so they could go out as a family to celebrate.

The Arnolds, of Vincam Road, Whitton, seemed too excited to worry about the £9,000 bail money they would have to find before seeing their son.

Mr Arnold said: "We will find it some way. Relations and friends have offered to help out."

The group will have to return to Greece at a later date to face trial on a lesser charge of illegal information collection.

If they are found guilty, they could face a five-year prison sentence.

December 14, 2001 15:00