A demonstration calling for the release of David Blagdon, 49, jailed for life for setting fire to an Oxford church, has been staged outside his prison.

Blagdon was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court in 1978 for setting fire to curtains and pews at St Laurence's Church, South Hinskey.

He was mourning the death of his foster parents at the time of the offence and claimed his actions were a cry for help.

The judge who passed the life sentence said he did it to keep Blagdon out of danger. The Oxford Mail has been campaigning for his release.

Blagdon, formerly of Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, is at Wellingborough Prison, Northamptonshire, where the protest was held yesterday.

In a statement released by campaigners, he said: "I am now on my 23rd year of that 'merciful life sentence' and have seen most of my adult life to date pass behind bars. It now seems the Home Office would wish me to spend even more time in custody and at present there is no sign of a release date.

"The campaign is intended to get me out of prison and into society once more where I can rebuild my life with my fiancee."