A petition calling on the Prime Minister to help bring a Wigton man home remains vital in ensuring he is not forgotten.

Those are the words of Joanne Thomlinson, sister of John Armstrong, who has – alongside family and friends – been fighting for more than two years to get her brother brought home from India.

The 27-year-old is one of six Britons unable to leave India where they are currently standing trial accused of a host of offences, including illegally transporting guns.

The men are all former members of the British armed forces and had been working for the American anti-piracy company AdvanFort when the ship they were on, the Seaman Guard Ohio, was seized by Indian officials.

In total 35 crew members were arrested and they spent six months in jail. Despite being freed and eventually having all charges against them dropped, John and the others were forced to remain in India while an appeal took place, which eventually led to the current trial.

At the time of their arrest, a change.org petition was set up calling on David Cameron and the Home Office to step in and help secure the Britons’ return.

It had topped 100,000 signatures when it was presented to Downing Street.

Two years later and the petition has been relaunched, desperately urging people to have their say.

Joanne, 30, of Blennerhasset, told The Cumberland News : “I think the longer [this situation] goes on, the more important it is that we keep pushing and trying to make people aware they are still there. When the petition was relaunched, it sent an email to everyone who had signed it before, letting them know why it was being relaunched. I think a lot of people will have been shocked that the men are still there.”

She continued: “We just don’t want anyone to forget about [the situation] or that John and the other men are still there.

“The only thing worse than what’s happening would be for it to be happening and for no one to realise.

“It is the support of the general public and friends and family that keeps everyone going.”

The court case began in September and this week saw the final prosecution witness take to the stand. The defence is now scheduled to start shortly, but there is no idea of how long it is due to take.

John was originally living a 13-hour bus ride from the court house, and so did not attend the early days of the hearing. He has since moved to Tuticorin, where the trial is being heard

The families of all six Britons have been working closely together in the hope of avoiding a third Christmas without their loved ones.

Earlier this month a letter was delivered by the Mission to Seafarers on behalf of the families to the Indian High Commissioner in London.

He was asked to raise the issue with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. The families were later told the situation was discussed with the Prime Minister by Mr Cameron himself.

Among the 35 men on trial are a number of Estonians and Ukrainians, but Joanne said they are all aware of Cumbria because of the incredible generosity and support of its people.

“It’s amazing,” she admitted.

A fundraising event is due to be held at the Greyhound Inn, in Bothel, tomorrow night. The race night starts at 7pm and is open to all.

There is no entry fee, but donations will be taken for the Bring John Home campaign which is raising money to help pay for basic living essentials for John and the others.

To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/p/foreignoffice-please-help-bring-6-british-ex-soldiers-held-in-india-home-for-christmas