Tony Blair was today raising the plight of the British plane spotters convicted of spying in Greece with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis.

The spotters, whose appeals are due to be heard in a week's time, include Chris Wilson, of Erica Way, Horsham.

Euro MP Richard Howitt, who has campaigned for the group members since they were arrested last November, said he had met the Prime Minister's foreign affairs adviser.

He said: "I was given the assurance that it is top of the list of bilateral issues that he is due to raise with Mr Simitis.

"I am absolutely satisfied that the plane spotters are to be given a fair hearing."

Mr Blair was meeting the Greek Prime Minister today, hours after the plane spotters protested their innocence at a news conference in central London.

They set out the grounds for their appeal and repeated their belief that they were not given a fair trial.

Six of the spotters were convicted of espionage earlier this year and given three-year jail sentences. Another six, including Mr Wilson, were found guilty of aiding and abetting and given one-year suspended sentences.

The group members are set to return to Greece later this week for their appeal, which begins next Monday.

The 12 Britons and two Dutchmen all had their sentences suspended pending next week's appeal and have vowed to clear their names.

They have admitted making notes at several Greek airbases but deny spying, insisting they were innocently pursuing their hobby.

The group were arrested at Kalamata airbase in southern Greece during a plane spotting trip in November last year, organised by Paul Coppin.

Mr Coppin said the group knew the court could impose tougher sentences of up to five years in jail each but said they were hoping for their existing sentences to be reduced.

Steve Rush, 38, of Caterham, Surrey, who was convicted of aiding and abetting, said: "Until we have all got full acquittals we won't be happy."