The family of a lorry driver jailed in Greece after being found guilty of trying to smuggle 19 Iraqi refugees across Europe were today hoping to fly out to visit him.

David Wilson, of Wyke, was put on trial in Greece last Wednesday after police spot checks discovered the refugees under a cargo of wool in his lorry as he waited to board a ferry to Italy.

Mr Wilson, 45, who is self-employed, said he had been asleep when the Iraqis got into the truck.

He faces 11 years in prison unless a fundraising campaign which has been launched can raise £22,000 for his bail.

Mr Wilson's wife, Tracey, and his brother-in-law Richard Frier were meeting directors of The Fair Trials Abroad Trust today in London to try to find the haulier legal representation in Greece. They were then planning to fly to the country to try to visit Mr Wilson, who is being held in a prison one hour's drive north of Athens.

Stephen Jakobi, a director of the trust, which seeks to help EU citizens accused of a crime in a country other than their own, said: "I'm shocked at what happened. We've only dealt with one other lorry driver being arrested in Greece in the last ten years."

Mr Jakobi said the trust would be doing its utmost to put pressure on the Greek Government to free Mr Wilson.

"We just can't stress how bad the prison conditions are," said Mr Frier, who saw Mr Wilson at the Greek port of Patras on Sunday.

"We're going out to meet the British Consulate in respect of getting him out of prison by paying the money.

"But we are still well short of the total and would ask anyone who can help to help."

Mr Frier said he was not sure if they would be able to visit Mr Wilson in prison.

"It will give him a bit of hope if we can see him," he said.

He added the campaigners were looking for someone who could speak Greek and could communicate fluently with the authorities.

A bank account has been set up for the fund.

Money or cheques can be paid into the account at any bank. Donations should be made to the Free Willy Appeal, sort code 56-00-36, account number 28543610.

Anyone who wants to help should contact Prescott Transport's managing director, Paul Willis, on (01274) 414123.