Hopes of movement in the battle to free a Cumbrian man from an Indian prison have been left uncertain.

John Armstrong and five other Britons have been waiting for almost 11 months for a verdict, after an appeal against their conviction and sentence was concluded in November 2016.

The men, known as the Chennai6, have always protested their innocence, but have been waiting for the judge involved to give his decision.

John, from Wigton, was given fresh hope of movement, after the judge involved stood down from the case - citing its complexities and saying he did not understand it.

While it meant a fresh appeal hearing would take place, the 30-year-old former member of the Parachute Regiment believed at least something was happening and a decision would be made.

His sister Joanne Thomlinson, from Blennerhasset, told the News & Star that their positivity had taken a hit when the judge changed his mind.

"We were about to enter the House of Commons on Thursday [for the lobby event]," she recalled, "when our lawyer, Stephen Askins, took a call on his mobile.

"The judge had just announced in open court that he was going to keep hold of the case.

"Obviously there's quite a lot of uncertainty over why he's made a u-turn. It's possibly something we will never find out - and there's nothing we can do about it."

The men are imprisoned alongside 29 other crew members on board the Seaman Guard Ohio, an American anti-piracy ship protecting mariners.

They were arrested four years ago after their ship took refuge from a storm in India. After an initial six months in prison, the men were granted bail and the charges - of illegally possessing firearms in Indian waters - were eventually quashed.

However they were banned from leaving the country, forcing them to remain thousands of miles from their loved ones, until eventually the Indian police decided to appeal that decision.

A trial began in late 2015, and the men were convicted in January 2016 and sentenced to five years in jail - a decision appealed one month later.

Their families of the Chennai6, including Joanne, 32, have been vehemently campaigning for the men's freedom, highlighting their case at the highest level.

Last week a petition of more than 408,000 names was handed to 10 Downing Street, urging the Government to intervene and bring the men home for Christmas.