Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has been asked to prove his influence in Europe by helping to free a Whitton man and his colleagues held in Greece on espionage charges.

Graham Arnold, 38, is one of 12 plane spotters arrested on suspicion of spying at an airbase near Kalamata in early November.

Greater London Assemblyman Tony Arbour urged Mayor Livingstone to use the full resources of Londons European Office to speed up Mr Arnolds release.

Greek officials seized two rolls of film and notebooks from the party of plane enthusiasts. However, the tourists deny taking photos of a restricted military base an offence which carries a 20-year prison sentence in Greece.

Mr Arnolds parents, Ron and Mary, of Vincam Road, Whitton, have said the Foreign Office have been of little help so far.

Mr Arnolds younger brother, Neil, 34, flew out to Greece on Monday night. He said his brother looked fairly well but was forced to grow a beard because his electric razor had been confiscated, even though razor blades were allowed.

His father added: Its just another one of the silly things that are going on out there. Nothing makes sense.