A Sussex man jailed in the Greek plane spotting "spy" drama was today at home recovering from his ordeal.

Bearded Chris Wilson kept a low profile as he arrived at Luton Aiport with other members of his group.

Emotional scenes erupted in the arrivals lounge as families were reunited but Mr Wilson, looking tired and drawn after 37 days in jail, made his way quietly to the exit.

Mr Wilson, who was met at the airport by Julie, his wife of 11 years, headed back to their modern semi-detached home in Horsham.

He said: "I just want to get back home and relax. That's all I want to do."

But Mr Wilson, 46, of Erica Way, is on £9,000 bail and will have to return to Greece next year to face the courts.

Mrs Wilson dismissed the original spy charges as "utterly ridiculous".

She said: "All we wish to say is we are both very relieved Chris is now at home and we wish to get back to normality and have an enjoyable Christmas with family and friends."

Mrs Wilson, 41, a part-time receptionist, said her husband, a British Telecom technical officer, was a quiet, supportive and gentle man who loved walking, music and going to the pub.

He had been passionate about planespotting since he was a child and regularly went to Gatwick.

Mrs Wilson said BT had been very supportive and his workmates were thinking of him while he was in prison.

The couple spoke to each other on the phone on most days during Mr Wilson's ordeal and Mrs Wilson said he had remained calm and determined throughout.

The planespotters were arrested on November 8 for allegedly taking photos during an air show at a time of heightened security following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Mr Wilson and 11 other aircraft enthusiasts are now vowing to clear their names when they return to Greece to answer allegations of gathering secret information.

They were initially accused of spying but lesser charges have now been tabled.

Euro MP Richard Howitt, who flew back with the group, said he was confident the case would collapse before it came to trial.