A legal appeal by British plane spotters convicted of spying in Greece finally got under way today, more than 24 hours late.

Among the 11 Britons is BT engineer Chris Wilson, of Erica Way, Horsham, who was convicted of aiding and abetting espionage.

The group, who have returned to Kalamata in a bid to clear their names, were ushered into the courtroom and their names read out before they took their places in the dock, virtually filling the well of the court.

They looked nervous and tired as they took their places, but again said they were glad that the appeal was finally getting under way after a series of delays.

Many of the group, who were arrested almost a year ago, said they believed a deal was being hammered out behind the scenes to reduce their sentences.

Six of them, convicted of espionage, were given three-year jail sentences and six more got one-year suspended sentences for aiding and abetting them.

One of the original 12 was advised not to attend the appeal hearing on health grounds.

All 12 Britons have admitted visiting a series of air bases, and many said they had taken notes, but all deny spying and insist they were innocently pursuing their hobby with official permission.