A Sussex woman today told of her anguish after her plane spotter husband was arrested in Greece and accused of spying.

Christopher Wilson, of Erica Way, Horsham, was among 12 plane spotters arrested three weeks ago while on holiday in Greece.

Looking pale and tired, his wife Julie, 41, described the conditions her husband was being kept in.

She said: "They do have a thin mattress to lie on, which is not very hygienic.

"He has a fork to eat with. The food is not very edible but he has not said whether he has been ill."

Mrs Wilson said she was able to speak to Mr Wilson, who works for BT, on the phone nearly every day.

Close to tears, she said: "He seems to be holding up quite well. At the moment they are not raising any hopes because they do not want to have them dashed again.

"I would like to see him back as soon as possible. I just want him home."

The couple have been married for 11 years and Mrs Wilson said any suggestion her husband was a spy was "utterly ridiculous."

She said: "It was an organised aviation enthusiasts' trip. They had been invited out by the Greek military.

"It's his main hobby. He enjoys walking, music and being with the family and friends. He's just a normal average person."

Mrs Wilson said: "I have been trying to keep my mind off it with a lot of phone calls to family and friends."

Labour MEP Richard Howitt was today due to meet the Greek Minister of Justice in Athens to discuss the plight of the party.

The incident has escalated into a diplomatic crisis in the EU.

A meeting of Euro MPs in Brussels has condemned it and European Parliament president Nicole Fontaine was writing to the Greek government urging a swift end to the situation.