A GRANDMOTHER who grew up in Redcar and is facing death by firing squad has written a letter thanking her supporters - as a fresh round of executions gets underway in Indonesia.

Lindsay Sandiford, 59, who is on death row for smuggling cocaine into Bali in 2012, said she had been "overwhelmed with your kindness" in the letter, which was released by a friend.

She said she had had a good week, despite reports that the country had lined up firing squads and was preparing to execute more drug smugglers. However, campaigners suggested Sandiford was not one of the 15 prisoners in the first round of executions.

Sandiford's hand-written letter was publicised by a friend and anti death penalty campaigner, Australian Denise Stepo, who befriended the British woman on visits to Kerobokan prison in Bali.

Mrs Sandiford wrote: "Dear friends and supporter, this week has been a good week.

"I am delighted to see my good friend Dee. Was lovely to have her here albeit the time has been short.

"I also wanted to thank you for your messages of love and support. I am overwhelmed with your kindness. I want to say a massive thank you to all my Indonesian friends and supporters.

“I am amazed by your caring. This has really touched me. Please feel hugged, much respect, Lindsay."

Mrs Stepo said: "It has been wonderful to see Lindsay this week and she is as well as can be expected at this stressful time. She sends this letter to you all."

Indonesia has taken a hard line with a war on drugs - executing narcotics traffickers as an example.

President Joko Widodo last year said there would not be any more death penalties carried out after 14 executions were implemented.

But last week the country's attorney general said there could be more, saying "Everyone is ready, including prison officials."

Mrs Sandiford was condemned to death - despite the prosecution suggesting a 15-year sentence for her - after she was caught acting as a drugs mule on a flight from Bangkok to Bali in 2012. She claimed her son's life had been threatened unless she smuggled the cocaine.

Pictures from prison last month suggested she had been teaching her fellow inmates to knit.