PRIME Minister David Cameron was urged to intervene in the case of six former British soldiers who have been jailed in India.

Today (Tuesday, March 18) their relatives and supporters delieverd a 100,000-strong petition to Downing Street urging the UK Government to do more to help.

Nicholas Simpson, from Catterick Garrison; Paul Towers, from Pocklington, near York; Nick Dun, from Ashington, Northumberland; Billy Irving, from Connel, Scotland, Ray Tindall, from Chester and John Armstrong, from Wigton, Cumbria, were arrested on October 12 and have been in prison in India since October 24.

Their supporters have also launched a campaign to raise money for a ''fighting fund'' to help their loved ones in prison.

The six were working for US private maritime company AdvanFort providing anti-piracy protection when their ship was detained.

According to the men, Indian authorities claim the vessel entered Indian waters illegally with weapons on board, despite AdvanFort apparently insisting the ship had the correct papers.

A petition, set up on online platform Change.org, calls on the Government to step in and help the men.

It was delivered to Downing Street today by family members including Mr Irving's partner Yvonne MacHugh as well as Mr Dunn's sister Lisa Dunn.

Ms Dunn said: ''My brother has been in prison all this time. I went to India to see him a few weeks ago and the situation is just terrible.

''We are desperate to hear what is going to be done, and now that we have collected over 137,000 signatures in the UK we will be seeking to appeal to the Government to debate this in the House urgently.''

Mr Simpson's wife Tracy has previously told how she and sons, Jai, 11, and Sam eight, have been devasted by the 43-year-old's detention.

Maritime welfare charity The Mission To Seafarers has been providing prison-visiting services to Chennai prison where the men are being held and working to support families in the UK.

According to the charity a bail hearing for the men will be held on Thursday or Friday.

Rev Andrew Wright, secretary general, said: ''The Mission To Seafarers has been closely involved with both the crew and their families throughout this long ordeal and we will continue to do all that we can in support.