Five-year-old Ryan Aggett is overjoyed at the news he is to see his father again.

The youngster was born just after his dad, Jody, was jailed for life in Thailand.

But now, after nearly six years behind bars, Jody has had his conviction quashed and could be home within the next few days.

For young Ryan, and Jody's parents Tony and Lorna, formerly of Wootton Bassett, it's an exciting time.

Lorna, 53, said: "Ryan is a little bit confused but he is excited about this daddy coming home who is going to play football with him and take him to school."

Jody, who has been in prison since his arrest in 2001, was acquitted by the country's supreme court. He had been jailed for life - commuted from the death penalty - in 2003.

His family, who now live in Westlea, heard the good news on Monday. Tony, 56, said: "I don't know how we have coped the last six years.

"We haven't slept since we heard he is coming home.

"It's every parent's worst nightmare and you wouldn't wish it on anyone. There are times when you think the worst.

"We have had so many big barnies but then we look at Ryan and everything nasty just gets forgotten and we start pulling together."

While the couple have had their dark moments they say Jody, who was in Bang Kwang prison, has been a rock.

"He has coped extremely well," Tony said. "I know bigger and stronger people that really would have cracked.

"He has just risen above all expectations. He has a smile on his face when anybody goes to see him."

Jody initially went to Thailand on a 30-day visa to see his Thai girlfriend Ramphia Lo, who he met in South Africa.

He had been staying above a travel agent's in Bangkok with Ramphia - known in the family as Kristin - when they were both arrested.

The couple were allowed to stay rent-free in the building if they opened and closed the travel agent's each day.

But the agency's owner, a dual Canadian and Dutch citizen known as Adrian, had been manufacturing ecstasy in the building.

The tenants were arrested alongside Adrian and his own Thai girlfriend when police raided the building in November 2001.

After being ordered to sign a false confession - which had not been translated from Thai - Jody was found guilty of being part of the plot.

Kristin, who was eight months pregnant with Ryan at the time, was also jailed.

Jody, who was 24 when he was jailed and is now 30, lodged an appeal against the conviction with the Thai supreme court, claiming an unfair trial and insufficient evidence.

But political upheavals in the country, including a military coup last year, delayed his hearing. Now the couple are free.

Tony said: "We are absolutely over the moon. We are tired because we haven't slept but who cares?

"Kristin spent her first night at home on Monday and gave us a call. She was so excited. It could be three or four days before Jody's back.

"It's frustrating waiting but at least we know it's happening and they have been acquitted of all the charges and that's what we have been fighting for."

Lorna said: "I just feel absolute excitement and joy. You go through such a long time of depression, anger and helplessness to the joy that my boy is coming home.

"Until we see him walk off the plane and into our arms it's not going to hit us."

The couple, who are moving from Westlea to north Swindon soon, are not sure what the future will hold.

Jody's twin sister Tammy is coming over from South Africa, where the family are from, and Tony said: "We are just going to let him settle and let him enjoy being free and not put any pressure on him.

"When he comes back we will have a barbecue, lots of beers and lots of family will be coming up. He is certainly going to want to enjoy his first day of absolute freedom."