Six plane spotters 'free in 24 hours'

Half of the 12 British planespotters jailed in Greece following spying allegations could be released on bail within 24 hours.

Following a scramble to raise the £9,000 surety demanded by the Greek authorities, half of them may be allowed to return home in time for Christmas. Relatives of the others are still trying to raise the funds. Two Dutch men held with them are likely to be the first released after raising bail.

The plight of the Britons has been raised by Baroness Ludford, Liberal Democrat MEP for London, who is urging the Government to loan the families the bail money. But the Foreign Office is resisting, saying taxpayers' money cannot be used to pay bail for Britons accused of offences abroad.

If they are released, the plane spotters will have to return to Greece to face a trial on a lesser misdemeanour charge of illegal information collection, which carries a maximum five-year sentence.

The bail process could take all day because the surety will have to be paid to a British police station and then given to the Greek authorities in drachmas by the British Embassy in Athens.

The group was arrested a month ago at an air show in Kalamata for allegedly illegally taking photographs. They were yesterday told they would be freed on bail. Three judges threw out the recommendation of a public prosecutor that they should face a more serious charge that carries a 20-year sentence.

Susan Keane, whose husband Michael is being held, said: "We are making efforts to raise this money, but I don't know whether we will be able to. These people are from ordinary families and it is a huge amount to find."