THE father of a Blackburn man facing more than 20 years in a Thai jail for alleged drugs offences was today preparing for the heartbreak of leaving his son and returning to East Lancashire.

Retired accountant Tony Egan, who now lives in the Ribble Valley, was due to arrive back in Britain after a gruelling trip to the Far East.

Mr Egan was forced to leave a family holiday in the Balearics after hearing that son Christopher had been arrested in the Thai city of Chiang Mai.

Christopher, 34, was jailed by the authorities after being arrested with 11 suspect pills. Initially his father suspected the drugs to be ecstasy but has since been told they were probably amphetamines.

The former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil now faces a lengthy term behind bars in Chiang Mai prison and Mr Egan has been told his son could be incarcerated for up to 28 years.

Although conditions in the jail are said to be better than those at the notorious "Bangkok Hilton" prison in the country's capital, Mr Egan, 62, said his son was going through a hard time.

"He's sharing a cell with an Australian and American so he doesn't feel completely isolated", he added, "I gave him some CDs, books and letters and took some new clothes but he is still terribly worried.

"I had to speak to him through a small square hole which wasn't very nice."

Although Mr Egan is understandably anxious about his son's welfare he insists he is getting all the help possible from the authorities in Thailand.

He added: "I have to say that the people of Thailand have been very understanding. I have been given a great deal of support by everyone I've met and everyone is very friendly."

The Foreign Office has provided Mr Egan with information and advice and suggested a lawyer to represent Christopher.

And after a meeting with his son's legal team he added: "The lawyer is wonderful and the team is doing all it can for my son, which is a relief." Mr Egan is due to return to Whalley this week.