A PARLIAMENTARYA candidate has intervened on behalf of a North-East man jailed in Burma for using an image of the Buddha to promote his bar.

Middlesbrough-born Phil Blackwood, a father of a young daughter, used an image of the Buddha wearing headphones on Facebook to promote a drinks night in the VGastro bar he was running in Rangoon.

Last month, the 32-year-old was jailed for two-and-a-half years with hard labour in the notorious Insein prison after the image caused widespread offence among Burma's religious community.

Mr Blackwood moved to New Zealand when he was four and the British Government previously admitted it was unaware he had joint New Zealand and British nationality.

However, a cousin of Mr Blackwood contacted Middlesbrough parliamentary candidate Andy McDonald, who then wrote to the Foreign Office shortly before the dissolution of Parliament so he could still use his status as an MP.

Mr McDonald stressed that Mr Blackwood had made an "honest mistake" and apologised.

He said: "This is a very severe sentence. I think this (the offence caused by Mr Blackwood) was inadvertent. He didn't mean any religious or cultural offence. These are sensitive areas and that's why we have our excellent consulates to help.

"There was some confusion about his nationality and I wanted to ensure our Foreign and Commonwealth Office was providing support and representation. He has made a mistake but it was an honest mistake. I think the Burmese authorities should look at this more leniently."

Mr McDonald, who is trying to get in touch with Mr Blackwood's relatives still living in Teesside, is still awaiting a response from the Foreign Office.

However, the Foreign Office has since issued a statement saying that the case has been raised with the Burmese Minister of the Presidency adding:"Our Embassy in Rangoon has provided advice and support to the New Zealanders on Mr Blackwood's case."

Mr Blackwood, who is married, was found guilty of insulting religion along with the bar’s Burmese owner and another manager. All three were given the same sentence.

Mr Blackwood has said he plans to appeal the sentence and that he has apologised many times.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, was ruled by a military junta until 2010 when elections were held.