A VICAR and his parishioners have joined a growing campaign to release a deaf charity worker from an Indian jail.

Ian Stillman was jailed after allegedly being caught with a large quantity of cannabis , although this has been strenuously denied by his parents, Roy and Monica Stillman, of York.

They are working with the campaign group Fair Trials Abroad to have Ian freed, although he was recently refused bail. An appeal against his conviction will be heard next month.

Now York vicar, the Reverend Martin Baldock, has put up a poster outside his church, in Dringhouses, declaring "Free Ian Stillman".

Parishioners are understood to have sent similar messages to the Indian High Commission.

Mr Stillman said: "It's very big-hearted of him. We are very grateful."