A YORK aircraft enthusiast arrested over spying allegations has sent close friends a desperate text-message asking for help.

Adrian and Brigid Hairsine, from Rawcliffe, say the message from Andy Jenkins "sounded like he was really despairing", and makes them "fear the worst".

Andy, along with 12 other British tourists who were arrested after spending a day looking at warplanes, was today appearing in court for the second time.

His message read: "Being processed into Napflion jail. This doesn't look good for us. Please make Press aware we need more pressure back home or we will be swept under the carpet."

It is understood that Andy, of Barkston Avenue, York, is among several of the tourists who have been moved to Napflion from Kalamata, where they were originally arrested.

Brigid said: "We are very fearful for Andy. He just wants to get as much publicity as he can, so people can see what they're going through."

The group could face stiff jail sentences of up to 20 years, if found guilty of espionage.

They are hoping that intelligence officers, who have been examining their photographs, will conclude that they are not spies. Andy himself says the only pictures he had with him were taken at this year's Great Yorkshire Air Show.

Another of the tourists, Antoni Adamiak, has described conditions at Napflion, 80 miles from Athens, as "filthy".

He added: "Please pray for good news."

Updated: 11:13 Monday, November 19, 2001