JAILED parrot breeder Harry Sissen is to appear before judges in London today to appeal against his conviction for smuggling rare birds into this country.

Sissen, of East Cowton, North Yorkshire, was given a two-and-a-half year sentence after being found guilty of illegally importing nine macaws, by Newcastle Crown Court in April.

A successful breeder, Sissen has always maintained his innocence. As the judge handed down the sentence, Sissen shouted: "If there is a God I can stand in front of him with a clear conscience - I did the right thing."

His barristers are expected to argue that his conviction for illegally importing nine rare macaws was unsafe, as transportation of birds between countries within the European Community should not constitute an offence. They will also say that his two-and- a-half year sentence for illegal importation was excessive.

Sissen's daughter, Yvonne Scales, is praying the appeal judges will release her father from jail and order that the birds are returned.

She said she feared Customs and Excise's actions threatened to destroy what she claimed was the best breeding centre for endangered species in Europe.

She said: "Dad's conscience is clear. He hasn't taken anything from the wild and this is the best place for them to be, because we are not money minded. We don't do it to make profit, we do it to save rare birds from extinction."

Customs and Excise seized 139 parrots from Sissen at the farm, where he has successfully bred some of the rarest parrots in existence.

It is applying to confiscate 69 of the birds seized in the raids. Legal proceedings are not expected to take place before next February.

Customs and Excise declined to comment.