Families of six Britons imprisoned in India - including Cumbrian John Armstrong - took a petition to Downing Street to mark 1,000 days since their arrest.

It followed a lobby in Portcullis House which involved politicians, charities and shipping companies discussing what could be done next to help bring the men home. They have been in prison since January.

Among those in London today is Joanne Thomlinson, sister of John, who travelled from her Blennerhasset home to help raise awareness of his plight.

The Mission to Seafarers and the families of the British guards on the anti-piracy vessel the MV Seaman Guard Ohio were joined by MPs from all parties and from all over the UK for the lobby.

"It feels like a really positive step," said Joanne, 30. "It turned what should have been a negative milestone into a positive."

The group then travelled to 10 Downing Street to present a 372,000-name petition calling for the British Government to secure the men's release.

The Britons, all ex-servicemen, are among 35 crewment arrested in October 2013 accused of illegal possession of firearms in Indian waters.

After much legal wrangling, the men finally stood trial in September and were convicted in January.

Captain Richard Phillips, who himself was taken hostage by pirates and was portrayed in a Hollywood blockbuster by Tom Hanks, has also spoken out about the case via the International Organisation of Master, Mates and Pilots.

"I support Masters, Mates and Pilots position calling for the immediate release of crew of the anti-piracy vessel Seaman Guard Ohio," he said.

"They are caught in the Indian judicial system and deserve to receive justice."

An appeal by the men against their conviction and sentence was once again delayed on Wednesday, after the Indian judge took a day's holiday. It will be reconsidered again next week.