THE family of an ex-soldier who fought in Syria are 'devastated' as he remains held in Turkey on a terror charge.

Joe Robinson, formerly from Accrington, was arrested while on holiday with his fiancée and her mother in the coastal town of Didim.

His parents have been speaking with the Foreign Office and have been told because of Turkish law it could be 'three or four' months before he is seen in court.

Mother Sharon Robinson, 46, said: "We' just devastated with it all at the moment, it came as such a shock."

Mr Robinson, 24, fought alongside the People's Protection Units of Syrian Kurdistan (YPG) against terror group IS.

But Turkey is hostile to the YPG because of links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey.

Step-father Mark, 47, said: "We just love him and want him home.

"He just went to Turkey to visit the family of his fiancee and he was arrested on the beach.

"It's quite devastating, we don't know how long it could take.

"We feel helpless, we don't know what to do.

"The Foreign Office has been very helpful but he is just so far away.

"All his family are devastated."

This comes as an online petition has been set up called 'Release Joe Robinson' which so far has more than 1,800 signatures.

The Foreign Office said it is speaking to the family regarding the incident.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of the detention of a British national in Turkey and have requested consular access.”

Mr Robinson, formerly of Belfield Road, joined the army when he was 18 and toured Afghanistan with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in 2012.

He travelled to Syria two years ago and it was there he served as a combat medic alongside the YPG against Isis militants during one of the civil war’s bloodiest periods.

People can sign the petition at www.gopetition.com/petitions/release-joe-robinson.html.