THE campaign to release a former Worcester man from a Greek jail is gaining pace.

Wayne Groves, pictured here, and 13 colleagues, have been held for 22 days in Greek custody on espionage charges.

The 38-year-old, who lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and works as a manager on the rail network, was a former pupil at Nunnery Wood High School.

Wayne was part of a plane-spotting group alleged to have taken photographs and made notes about military planes in the south-eastern town of Kalamata.

He is a committed aviation enthusiast who has travelled the world following his hobby.

"He's been everywhere without any problems," said his 64-year-old father Don, speaking from his Kilbury Drive home in Whittington.

Despite Tony Blair raising their plight in a conversation with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the plane-spotters are still in custody and are facing a maximum sentence of 20-years.

Today, Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for the Eastern Region, was due to meet the Greek Minister of Justice in Athens to try and secure their release, after magistrates transferred their case to a judicial counsel.

This means they will be detained indefinitely, as they will only appear before the counsel when three suitable judges have been convened.