So plane spotting is virtually unheard of in Greece? In fact, the original Athens airport - replaced this year by a new one - has been a mecca for British aircraft spotters for many years. So much so, that the Emmantina Hotel in Athens regularly advertised spotting holidays in British aircraft magazines.

Although airport authorities were always jumpy, they seemed to tolerate the British, Dutch and German "spotters" and were fully aware of the hobby.

I say this, because I was arrested for using an airband radio in the main terminal, as was the unfortunate young woman I had just met at the time. We were both released after an hour.

All the tail numbers that the spotters have written down would already be recorded in commercially-available books, so how can the Greeks believe the spotters represent a threat to their national security?

If ever there was a need for our Foreign Office to support Brits abroad this is it. These people must be released at once.

Eddie Tee,

Horner Close,

Huby, near Easingwold.

Updated: 10:11 Thursday, November 29, 2001