A CONVICTED double murderer who is battling to clear his name today spoke of his fears for his future -- even if he wins his freedom.

Photographic salesman Peter Fell, of Great Harwood, was given two life sentences in 1984 for the motiveless and brutal killings of Ann Lee, 44, and Margaret "Peggy" Johnson, 65 on Aldershot Common.

His case is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal but he fears that, even if it is successful, he would have difficulty coping and adjusting to life on the outside.

And he has called for a change in the law which states that the probation service does not have a duty to help people released after their convictions are quashed.

Fell, who has protested his innocence from behind bars for 16 years, won his right to appeal last September when the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred the conviction to the Court of Appeal. He hopes it will be heard next month and is confident his conviction will be quashed.

In a letter to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph from HMP The Verne, Dorset, he writes: "I am confident my conviction will be quashed. I am, after all, innocent

"The grounds for appeal have been sent to the appeal court and I am expecting it to be heard by October."

Ex-soldier Fell, who attended Norden High School, Rishton, before leaving the area to join the army made a confession during three days of interviews with Hampshire Police when he was without a solicitor. He later withdrew the confession and solicitors claimed it was unreliable, but he was convicted at Winchester Crown Court in August 1984 -- despite no forensic evidence being produced at the trial.

Fell has been backed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and Liberty, a group which campaigns for people who claim they have been wrongly sent to prison.

In his letter to the Telegraph he says he was given his first taste of freedom this summer when he was given an escorted town visit -- to help him familiarise himself with major changes that have taken place during his time inside, such as different currency. He is currently waiting for clearance for another visit. A report on the possibility of him moving to open prison conditions is now being compiled.

Since moving to the Verne Fell has become involved with a Christian organisation called the Kainos Community Project.

He says: "I had been in prison for 15 years when I arrived at this prison and therefore having spent those years living in a cell on my own it did me good to re-learn about living with other people. This may be the only preparation that I have made for a possible release.

"If I was released as a convicted prisoner I would be given all sorts of help and assistance by the probation service. But there isn't any help available for people who have spent a long time in prison and eventually have their convictions quashed. "

A Home Office spokeswoman said that there was no statutory duty on probation services to look after prisoners released from behind bars.

However many offer help and counselling if contacted by prisoners in advance of their release or shortly afterwards.

In the longer term, she said the government was funding a new scheme involving the National Association for the Care and Re-settlement of Offenders and the Society of Voluntary Associations to provide support for prisoners released on appeal.