The family of a man jailed in Saudi Arabia on terrorism charges have called on the Foreign Office to do more to free him.

James Cottle, 51, of Stretford, Greater Manchester, appeared on Saudi television with two other British men in 2001 confessing to a series of bombings.

His family claim the confession was made under duress.

He began an appeal against his sentence in July 2002.

Mr Cottle's ex-wife, Mary Martini, is campaigning for his release

His ex-wife, Mary Martini, said the family were growing impatient with progress made in securing his release.

Ms Martini said: "Fifteen months later, I think we now really need demands by the Foreign Office, not questions asked.

"We asked Baroness Amos last year what would happen if we were here in another 12 months time and she said 'Well we hope we are not'.

"Well we still are - how much longer?"

Mr Cottle was originally arrested for drinks offences.

He later appeared on television confessing to involvement in a bombing campaign in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

Solitary confinement

The offence carried the death penalty but he was later jailed for 18 years.

His family say he cannot have been connected to the bombings, which have continued while he has been in prison.

Ms Martini said their three children had been badly affected by seeing their father's televised confession.

She said: "Of course, the kids were totally devastated at hearing this news and seeing how frightened he looked.

"He was obviously coerced into doing that."

She added she believed the Saudi authorities were preventing Mr Cottle from having contact with the outside world, as they had received just one letter from him in 15 months.

Public profile

He had also been held in solitary confinement until recently, she said.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said it remained "deeply concerned" about the men's situation.

She added: "We, and the majority of the men's families and their lawyers believe it is not in the best interests of the men to raise their profile publically.

"We do remain in close and constant contact with the lawyers and we continue to pass details of any developments to the family members.

"We continue to work vigorously to resolve the cases and continue to raise them regularly with the Saudi government."