Lindsay Sandiford: Redcar gran on death row in Bali could be executed as early as next month

A Redcar gran on death row for drugs smuggling in Bali, has reportedly been told that she could be executed as soon as next month.

Lindsay Sandiford, 58, has reportedly been told in a letter that unless she begins an appeal, she will be put to death by a firing squad as soon as March.

However The 57-year-old - originally from Redcar but now of Cheltenham has said she cannot afford the £50,000 appeal.

Sandiford was found with the cocaine when she arrived in Bali from Thailand in May 2012.

She claims she was forced to transport the drugs to protect her son, whose safety was at stake.

She currently has no legal representation and she claims she has had little help from the Foreign Ofiice.

But a spokesman said the Foreign Office stood “ready to provide support”.

UK Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond raised his government’s opposition to the use of the death penalty to the Indonesian president last week.

Mr Hammond spoke with Jusuf Kalla, the Vice President of Indonesia, and Foreign Minister Ibu Retno about the UK’s position about capital punishment.

All of Sandiford’s appeals so far have been denied.

Indonesia began a wave of executions recently with five foreigners - including a Dutchman and a Brazilian - killed by firing squad.

Days later, the second of two Australians on death row in the same prison as Sandiford in Bali had their clemency appeals rejected.

Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33, are now expected to be shot dead by firing squad next month.