CAMPAIGNERS fighting to free a deaf charity worker from an Indian jail have criticised a ruling which prevents him being transferred to another prison to be closer to his family.

Ian Stillman, who is serving a ten-year sentence after being convicted of cannabis possession, applied for a move from his prison in Shimla, in the Himalayas, to the southern Tamil Nadu jail.

The move would have given the 51-year-old, whose health is thought to be suffering, access to better medical care, as well as bringing him closer to his wife, children and friends.

Mr Stillman, whose family live in York, had a leg amputated after a motorcycle accident several years ago and doctors warned earlier this year that his health was declining rapidly.

His sister, Elspeth Dugdale, said: "It would appear the refusal is on some crazy technical point. We have requested a couple of copies of the jail manuals for Tamil Nadu and will take up a legal challenge to the decision if we have to. We need to win this battle."

She said the British Government had already contacted Indian officials to question their decision to refuse a move.

"The Foreign Office realise that the transfer is vital for Ian's health and so have already challenged the decision," she said.

It is also hoped that Mr Stillman's case will be on the agenda tomorrow when Foreign Secretary Jack Straw meets his Indian counterpart.

Mr Stillman, a father of two and a committed Christian, moved to India nearly 30 years ago to set up a charity that works with the country's deaf people.

He has consistently denied the charges he was found guilty of, and was refused a sign language interpreter at his trial.