The parents of a man from Northamptonshire being held in Egypt say charges that he planned to overthrow the government are "ludicrous".

Ian Nisbet, 28, an IT consultant from Brackley, is one of three Britons accused of being a member of a political group aiming to "rise against" the Egyptian state.

The other Britons being held are Reza Pankhurst, 27, an internet expert, and Maajid Nawaz, 24, a student at London's School of Oriental and African Studies.

The men will stand trial on 20 October and could face 15 years in prison if convicted.

Mr Nisbet's mother Jennifer said her son "would not harm anybody; the charges brought against him are ludicrous".

Membership in the Islamic Liberation Group is legal in the UK but outlawed in most Middle Eastern countries - Egyptian authorities blame it for an attempted coup in 1974 and involvement in terrorist operations.

The proceedings in Egypt's State Security Court in Cairo will also include 23 Egyptian nationals on similar charges.