A Chester man hopes to return home next month, having been released on bail from an Indian prison.

Former Army sniper Ray Tindall, 38, from The Crescent, Newton, was one of six British ex-soldiers on board a US-owned ship impounded last October after straying into Indian waters.

The patrol vessel was protecting freight ships from pirate attacks but the 25 security guards and 10 crew were arrested for allegedly carrying weapons, arms and ammunition without disclosing them to the local authorities.

In March, a judge granted conditional bail to 33 of the men although one of the Brits and the vessel’s Ukrainian captain remain in jail.

Ray, a former sergeant with the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh and The 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, said on Facebook: “All being well case will be quashed in June, then get my skinny ass home.”

Ray, who must report to the police station twice a day, had been held in the city of Chennai's Puzhal jail.

He thanked everyone who stuck by him and supported his wife Faith and four-year-old daughter Lyra back home in Chester.

“Just want to thank everyone for their continued support through this ordeal. It means so much to us. Thanks,” he wrote after his release.

Offering his ‘quote of the day,’ he posted: “The pain you are feeling today...will be the strength you will feel tomorrow!”

On his return, Ray aims to relaunch his Faraly's Fine Produce business, with a mobile farm shop, selling locally produced products, plus his award winning sausages.

At the moment he is getting himself fit through a punishing exercise regime and has lost three stone.

On Twitter he revealed his desire to take part in the Chester marathon this October.