A man who sparked an international manhunt after allegedly robbing South Marston post office has launched an Appeal Court bid to overturn his conviction.

Brendon Nangle, 41, and Sean Curtis-Cody were accused of tying up a mother and her son at the premises in January 1989 before stealing goods worth thousands of pounds.

Nangle left the country shortly afterwards and spent years abroad before being arrested and convicted at Swindon Crown Court in 1998.

Curtis-Cody was jailed for his part in the robbery and is not involved in this appeal.

Former plasterer Nangle, who grew up in Pinehurst and said he was with his then girlfriend at the time of the raid, was convicted of robbery and five charges of burglary and was jailed for 12 years.

Lord Justice Roch, Mr Justice Turner and Mr Justice Pitchford are hearing Nangle's appeal against the length of his sentence and must also decide whether to allow him to appeal against conviction.

n The appeal, expected to last two days, continues today.