Friends and family today heaved a sigh of relief as hunger striker Simon Chapman was freed from prison on bail after nearly nine weeks without food.

Mother Jackie Chapman, of Berdens, Vange, spoke of her delight and hoped his release from the Greek jail marked the start of the campaign to bring him home.

However, Mr Chapman, 30, of Copdoek, Fryerns, still faces trial in Greece along with four other anti-capitalist protesters who were accused of rioting in Thessaloniki during an EU summit in June.

Mrs Chapman said: "I am looking forward to him getting well and getting home, although he has been released on bail which indicates a trial. I hope there will be no trial at all."

Published Thursday November 27, 2003

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