Europe Minister Peter Hain today threw a diplomatic lifeline to convicted planespotter Christopher Wilson.

The minister pledged to highlight his plight at next week's meeting of the powerful Council of Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

Mr Wilson, 46, of Erica Way, Horsham, was convicted with 11 other Britons on spying charges in Greece last month.

He was handed a one-year suspended sentence, along with five other members of the party, for aiding and abetting.

A further six, convicted of spying, were sentenced to three years in jail but were freed pending an appeal.

Mr Hain said: "I was shocked by the verdict. We are anxious the appeal is heard quickly and it is successful.

"I am concerned for them. They have been plunged into a nightmare. Let us hope we can get them out of it soon."

The Government must tread carefully to avoid a diplomatic row with Greece , a NATO ally and EU member.

The Greek Embassy has insisted the trial of 12 British plane spotters, arrested at a military air show in Kalamata last November, was fair.

But Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Prime Minister Tony Blair described the trial as "disproportionate".

Mr Hain said he would raise the matter with Greek Foreign minister George Pappandreou on Monday.

He said: "We don't miss an opportunity. I will be there myself and, if an opportunity to raise it comes up, I will.

"But I will be making it clear that we are not seeking to interfere with the independence of the Greek judicial system."

He said: "They have an independent judicial system. They will no more welcome us poking our nose into their affairs then we would welcome it. But I hope justice will prevail."

The 12 emerged stunned but defiant after their three-day trial last month but now face an exhausting and financially draining legal challenge.

Mr Wilson vowed: "We will keep going back until our names are cleared."