CAMPAIGNING journalist Don Hale has taken up the fight of a group protesting the innocence of jailed Prestwich security driver Graham Huckerby.

Prestwich born-and-bred, Mr Hale (49) famously fought to overturn the wrongful conviction of Stephen Downing, who spent 26 years in prison for the murder of a young typist.

He has now rallied to the cause of 42-year-old Huckerby, who in April was given a 14-year jail sentence for driving the getaway vehicle in a £6.6 million armed robbery.

Members of the campaign team The Friends of Graham Huckerby say that he was forced to drive at gunpoint in the belief that his partner was in danger and want the conviction quashed.

The incident took place seven years ago this week at Midland Bank Clearing Centre in Salford, and the cash has never been recovered.

After being contacted by the group, Hale agreed to take an investigative role in the case.

The former Whitefield Secondary School pupil has been helping to prepare a dossier of fresh information, including witness statements and medical reports.

He is working with lawyers to present the evidence to a High Court judge, and have the case referred to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Hale told the Bury Times: "There are several factors here which are very disturbing and a whole raft of evidence which needs to be investigated.

"There are various areas where we want to challenge the points made by the prosecution, any one of which may cast doubt on the original conviction.

"Graham is entitled to appeal before a single judge, who will determine if there is sufficient evidence for the case to go before three law lords.

"I would hope that we could get to that stage within a few months and have the conviction overturned.

"I think there will be quite a lot of national support for his case."

Psychiatric nurse Luci Roper, Graham's fiancee and campaign manager, welcomed the assistance.

Miss Roper (33), of Gardner Road, Prestwich, said: "We are thrilled and so pleased that Don responded to us.

"We are obviously trying to get high profile people on board and we know about Don's reputation and what he has achieved."

She added: "Graham and I speak every day, but that is not enough. He feels absolutely desperate."

Speaking from prison, Huckerby said: "I still feel totally bewildered and demoralised by all the circumstances. I pray continually that the justice system will finally live up to its name."

To mark the seventh anniversary of the robbery on Wednesday (July 3), the 50-strong group held a street demonstration past the robbery scene.

As well as carrying banners and wearing yellow ribbons, they staged a mock-up kidnapping and led a "scapegoat" procession of goats along the street .