Supporters of a grandfather in prison for a murder he says he did not commit are hoping to send him hundreds of birthday cards at his Italian prison.

Enrico Mariotti, 66, is serving a 26-year jail sentence for the gangland killing of an aristocrat in Rome in 1977.

The computer engineer, who was living in Burgess Hill before his extradition in May, maintains his innocence.

Former colleagues at Pav IT in Sayers Common, Hassocks, are campaigning for his release.

They want everyone who knew him to send him a card to celebrate his birthday on December 21.

Nick Knight, who created the campaign website www.innocentenrico.co.uk, wrote to Mr Mariotti's supporters saying: "I hope to arrange for hundreds of cards to arrive at roughly the same time.

"It will cost you a card and a stamp that's all, tell your friends and relatives.

"Obviously if you know Eny then a message is always nice to receive but even for people who didn't know him personally a huge delivery of post may be noticed."

He is encouraging people to send their cards separately to create a deluge of post at the prison.

Mr Mariotti's partner, Christine Paterson told The Argus birthday cards are more appropriate than a Christmas greeting.

She said: "He doesn't really like Christmas so he'd probably prefer a birthday card."

Mr Mariotti is being held at the high-security Viterbo prison near Rome.

He was convicted in his absence in 1995 for the murder of Duke Massimiliano Grazioli.

Prosecutors claimed he was a lynchpin of the Banda della Magliana, a criminal gang which used the ransom they collected from Duke's family to finance a bloody takeover of the Rome underworld.

Mr Mariotti fought a 12-year battle against extradition to Italy, but was extradited last year.

In his latest letter to his supporters, dated November 15, he said he has been given a job cleaning landings at the prison.

He wrote in his slightly broken English: "Is a bit heavy job, but give me a little sensation of freedom.

"After the first two days I had the impression I will never survive, but after my body react and now I get used to it and seems I can carry on.

"The main reason I accept the job is cos I am mainly out all day and is a good opportunity to avoid several hours of demential Italian television."

He described how the falling temperatures have affected conditions in the prison.

His daughter Valeria has twice attempted to bring him some slippers, but the guards have not allowed them into the jail.

Friends and supporters send copies of The Argus and other newspapers in prison.

He wrote: "I am more up to date on British news than on the Italian.

"I read on the news about the risk of flooding on the East of England. I seem to remember many years ago a similar event caused a real disaster, this time the danger seems to be over, then no worry for the pretty Essex girls."

Anyone wishing to send Mr Mariotti a birthday card can find his address at www.innocentenrico.co.uk Leave your messages of support to Mr Mariotti's family below.