DEAF charity worker Ian Stillman has made a bail application which could secure his release from an Indian prison as early as next month.

But his family fear a date for the hearing might not be set before July.

And, even if he is released, he would still need to face an appeal trial at the country's Supreme Court in an effort to clear his name.

Ian, 51, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, and who had a leg amputated after a road accident, was sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted of cannabis possession last year a charge he has always denied.

His sister, Elspeth Dugdale, said: "The application for bail has been put in and we hope to get a date for a hearing soon.

"One of the frustrations is we don't know if we will get that before the court closes for a two month recess in May or not, but we'll wait and see."

The bail application is based on health grounds.

As well as being profoundly deaf, Ian has been suffering circulatory problems that could mean his remaining leg could be amputated, and could eventually kill him.

"He's in good heart at the moment, as he always is," said Elspeth.

"But he is clearly in pain and he is having difficulty in his movement."

Ian moved to India 27 years ago to work with the country's deaf. He and his wife Sue set up the Nambikkai Foundation, which has taught independence skills to more than 1,000 people.

The Evening Press launched a campaign to free him after he was denied a sign language translator at his trial, effectively excluding him from the proceedings.

It was called the "worst miscarriage of justice I have dealt with" by human rights lawyer Stephen Jakobi.

In only two weeks, nearly 2,000 people have signed the petition. It can be signed and collected from the Evening Press offices in York and Malton, or printed off the Free Ian Stillman campaign section of this website.

Anybody able to display them in shops or offices can collect multiple copies.

Updated: 08:56 Monday, April 22, 2002