Sixth form students are lobbying Boris Johnson for the release of two British-Iranian nationals held in Iran.

Led by the amnesty human rights group of Westholme School in Blackburn, students from the sixth form are building a petition to help raise awareness of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori’s plight – both imprisoned in Iran for charges they strongly deny.

Earlier this month, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband staged a three-week hunger strike outside of the foreign office in London, campaigning for his wife’s release who has been in custody since 2016, accused of being a spy.

Principal Dr Richard Robson said: “It is important that young people feel they have a voice, in addressing issues close to home and within international waters.

"Westholme’s Amnesty Human Rights Group is part of our co-curricular programme and our students are passionate about making a difference and campaigning for positive change.

"Facilitated by the school’s head of ethics, philosophy and religion, students are delivering a number of education pieces for the whole school, encouraging pupils and their parents to learn more about the detainees’ stories and sign a petition in partnership with Amnesty International."

Members of Westholme’s Amnesty Human Rights Group have been following Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh’s story closely, concerned that the government is not doing enough to secure their release.

Westholme pupil and Youth MP for Blackburn with Darwen, Zara Hyatt said: “As a youth MP, I feel that action needs to be taken immediately to help these individuals and their families who are suffering.

"I urge the local community to take action to bring them home, just like Westholme students are doing.”

To learn more and sign the petition, visit https://www.amnesty.org.uk/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-whats-happening