CONVICTED killer Robert Lund is unlikely to appeal his 12-year prison sentence, according to his French lawyer.

Lund could risk his 12-year sentence for the manslaughter of his wife, Evelyn, being increased to more than 20 years if he refuses to accept the verdict of a court in Albi, southern France.

Maitre Thibault Terrie, one of the two lawyers who fought Lund's case in the Cour d'Assises last week, said he had advised his client not to take the chance.

Lund was found guilty of the involuntary homicide of his wife Evelyn, a charge reduced from murder by the French jury during their deliberations.

The former Blackburn Council tree protection officer had already spent three years in a prison in Albi awaiting his trial.

Lund had lived with Evelyn at Winter Hill, Darwen, before they set up home in France.

The court heard that Lund had killed his wife after an argument at their converted farmhouse in the secluded hamlet of La Veaute on December 29, 1999.

He then put her body in her Toyota Landcruiser and rolled it into the Lac de la Bancalie, five kilometers from their home.

The body of 52-year-old Evelyn, originally from Rossendale and who lived in Cumbrian Way, Burnley, with her first husband, was not found for 22 months.

The roof of her vehicle was discovered when water levels in the lake dropped during a drought.

Lund, 55, had always maintained his innocence - even throughout the trial.

After the sentencing his brother Neville, from Rochdale, said they would be talking to lawyers about an appeal.

But Maitre Terrie said although Lund had the opportunity to take his case back to court, it was not necessarily advisable.

"Mr Lund has 10 days to appeal," he said. "A decision will need to be made by next Monday. At the moment a decision has not been made."

He added: "I don't necessarily think that it would be advisable to appeal the sentence. If he is found guilty again then the sentence could be increased, probably to around 20 to 25 years."

If Lund did go for an appeal the witnesses who appeared at his trial would not need to give their evidence again. Instead the case would be reviewed by a panel of three judges, behind closed doors.

Lund also has the opportunity of transferring his prison sentence over to an English prison. One of his supporters said: "I don't think Robert will want to do that. It would be nearer his family but he sees France as his home now."