THE East Lancashire brother of one of the planespotters arrested in Greece on suspicion of espionage has greeted with caution news that his brother could be freed within a week.

Steve Jenkins, of Southwood Drive, Baxenden, said his hopes, along with the other relatives of the 12 spotters being held, had been dashed so many times he could only greet news of his brother Andrew's imminent release with scepticism.

Richard Howitt, Labour East Region MEP, said a panel of judges was due to consider the evidence against the group during the next few days and he thought it was likely the group would be released by the end of next week as a result.

Mr Howitt, who has been campaigning for the plane spotters' freedom since they were arrested a month ago, said he could not believe the judges could conclude that any of the group was guilty of spying.

Steve said: "That is how it has gone along all the time, for the past five weeks. We have heard news that there's going to be another meeting and they'll be released then, and then they aren't. This has gone on for a long time, but we keep hoping."

But, he said, he was still confident that Andrew would be home in time for Christmas.

Steve has had T-shirts printed by a Burnley firm with the logo "Plane spotters not guilty", which friends, family and supporters will be wearing in the coming weeks to raise awareness of the group's plight.

He also hopes he can travel out to Greece to see his brother and hand over the T-shirts for the group to war on their release, if he can get sponsorship for the trip.