CAMPAIGNERS fighting for the release of a man jailed for murder have founded an organisation to challenge the law.

Anthony Wood, 22, from Rawtenstall, is serving a life sentence after a jury found him guilty of planning and encouraging 19-year-old Louise Evans’ brutal murder.

The former Alder Grange Community and Technology School pupil was convicted on the basis of joint enterprise, with the prosecution accepting he did not inflict any physical injuries.

Now, his family and friends have joined forces with relatives of other people convicted under the joint enterprise law to form the Joint Enterprise: Not Guilty by Association group, set to be launched next week.

On Monday, 140 balloons will be released at 2pm outside the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, to mark the launch of the group.

Notes written by prisoners, who have been convicted under joint enterprise, will be attached to the balloons.

Two of Wood’s great aunties, Dorothy McQuade and Florence Farrar, along with Gillian Phillips, who is the mother of one of his close friends, have been campaigning for his release since he was sentenced in January.

He has been granted leave for appeal and is awaiting a date for the case to be heard in London.

Mrs Phillips, of Dunnockshaw, said: “In Anthony’s note, he just talks about the fact that he should not be there.

“We’re trying to make people see things from Anthony’s point of view and hopefully we will get that message across.”

At Preston Crown Court last December, it was accepted Wood did not carry out the attack.

But Wood was told he would serve a minimum of 23 years in prison and Maw at least 18 years.

Louise was murdered in Towneley Park, Burnley, by Matthew Maw, 19, in July last year.