EUROPE Minister Peter Hain today threw a diplomatic lifeline to convicted plane spotter Andy Jenkins.

In an exclusive interview, he said the 32-year-old had been "plunged into a nightmare."

Mr Hain pledged to highlight his plight at next week's meeting of the powerful Council of Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

Mr Jenkins, 32, of Acomb, York, was one of six British plane spotters who received a three-year prison sentence after being found guilty of spying at a Greek air force base.

Two Dutch spotters have also been handed the same sentences.

A further six British spotters were handed year-long sentences after being found guilty of aiding and abetting espionage. Their sentences were immediately suspended.

Mr Hain said: "I was shocked by the verdict. We are anxious the appeal is heard quickly and it is successful.

"I am concerned for them - they have been plunged into a nightmare. Let us hope we can get them out of it soon."

The Government must tread carefully to avoid a diplomatic row with Greece - a NATO ally and European Community member.

The Greek Embassy has insisted the trial of the 12 British plane spotters, arrested at a military air show in Kalamata last November, was fair.

But Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Prime Minister Tony Blair described the trial as "disproportionate".

Mr Hain said he would raise the matter with Greek Foreign Minister George Pappandreou on Monday.

He said: "We don't miss an opportunity. I will be there myself and if an opportunity to raise it comes up I will.

"But I will be making it clear that we are not seeking to interfere with the independence of the Greek judicial system."

He said: "They have an independent judicial system. They no more welcome us poking our nose into their affairs then we would welcome it. But I hope justice will prevail."

York MP Hugh Bayley has already condemned the sentence handed to Mr Jenkins.

He said: "The Greek authorities may not understand or like plane spotting, but a prison sentence is wrong, and it would be a total waste of Greek taxpayers' money."

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, May 08, 2002