JAILED businessman George Atkinson is due to fly home to freedom today after spending more than six years in a Middle East prison.

Mr Atkinson has not seen his family since 1997, when he was arrested on charges of fraud and corruption during a visit to Dubai.

Today, the 52-year-old landscape gardener, who has always protested his innocence, is due to be deported from Dubai and flown to Heathrow.

Waiting at the airport to greet him will be his French-born wife Helene, 54, and their two daughters, Alice, 24 and Nina, 22.

After an emotional reunion they will return to the family home at Rockbourne in the New Forest to rebuild their lives.

Mrs Atkinson, her voice breaking with emotion, spoke of her relief that the family's ordeal is almost over.

She said: "We have suffered so much pain and hurt over the past six-and-a-half years and can't wait to be released from those terrible feelings.

"My first words to George when he comes off the plane tonight will be 'I love you and I have missed you so much'."

Mr Atkinson is said to be the longest-serving British prisoner in the Middle East, and his wife fears they may have difficulty recognising each other after so many years apart.

She said: "Friends who visited George in prison said he was looking remarkably well for someone in such a difficult situation.

"But he may have lost some hair - or even gained a few grey ones.

"George has an advantage over us because we have sent him family photographs, but he's never able to send us any pictures of himself."

Mr Atkinson helped to build two internationally renowned golf courses in Dubai and was arrested after returning to the country in February 1997.

He was subsequently convicted of defrauding the Dubai government, jailed for six years and fined more than £1m.

Mr Atkinson should have been released in February, but another six months were added to his sentence after he failed to pay the fine.

His ordeal will finally end at 8.45pm today, when the aircraft flying him to freedom lands at Heathrow.

During his long years in Dubai's tough Jumeirah prison Mr Atkinson's two daughters have grown from teenagers into young women with university degrees.

Mrs Atkinson added: "For the moment we need to get together and just be a family again."