INCREDIBLE support from Evening Press readers has been praised by the family of jailed deaf charity worker Ian Stillman.

In only two weeks, the Free Ian Stillman campaign has collected 1,700 signatures urging the Indian Government to release the 51-year-old from his ten-year prison sentence.

Ian, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, and who had a leg amputated after a road accident, was convicted of cannabis possession last year - a charge he has always denied.

His sister, Elspeth Dugdale, said: "That is fantastic and shows the support that Ian has.

"People are usually sympathetic because of his disabilities, but when they get to know more about the case their support goes to another level because they realise how absurd the case is."

The Evening Press vowed to campaign for Ian's release after he was denied access to a sign-language translator during his trial, effectively barring him from taking any part in it, or even understanding it.

It has been described as "the worst miscarriage of justice I have dealt with" by human rights lawyer Stephen Jakobi, and Ian has won the support of MPs across the country.

Since the campaign was launched, dozens of filled petition forms have been arriving at our offices every day.

They need to continue flooding in if we are to make the strongest case possible for his release.

It is hoped that completed petitions will be handed directly to the Indian High Commission before an appeal planned at the country's Supreme Court.

No date has yet been set for the appeal.

Individuals and groups are still being urged to support the campaign, and petitions can be signed or collected from Evening Press offices in York and Malton, and printed off this website.

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

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, April 20, 2002