THE parents of jailed charity worker Ian Stillman told of their determination to have him freed yesterday, on the second anniversary of his arrest in India.

The 52-year-old charity worker, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, is profoundly deaf and disabled, yet was denied a sign language interpreter at his trial for allegedly possessing cannabis.

His father, Roy, said yesterday that he was amazed his son was still in prison after such a long time.

"We thought there had been a terrible misunderstanding and it would be cleared up straight away, and we were absolutely amazed when they pressed charges," he said. "For us, it feels like more than two years. It feels like a lifetime, and it just goes on and on."

A petition of more than 5,000 signatures demanding his release was handed in to the House of Commons last month and his family is also fighting to secure his release.

Mr Stillman said: "The fact that we have something up our sleeves, that we are actually working at doing something and we have the support of so many people, does make it easier for us."

This week, Mr Stillman and his wife, Monica, intend to join other family members in London to mark the anniversary. They hope to present a petition to the Indian High Commission, aimed at encouraging positive moves in their son's case.