Campaigners for jailed Bradford mum Zoora Shah are launching a last-ditch effort to pile pressure on the Government to get her released from prison.

Home Secretary Jack Straw is expected to rule in February how much longer she must stay in prison.

She was convicted of murdering Mohammed Azam - the married man with whom she had been having a relationship - in 1992, with a recommendation that she serve 20 years.

But women's groups, who are helping her fight her case, say she has already suffered enough and after seven years in custody she should be allowed out to be reunited with her son and two daughters in Bradford.

The jury in the original murder trial never heard evidence that Mrs Shah has only recently felt able to describe - her history of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of the dead man and his associates.

With a decision imminent, supporters of Mrs Shah are now asking people in Bradford to send off pre-printed postcards to the Home Secretary. The postcards point out that Mrs Shah is not a threat to the public and call on him to authorise her release.

Campaigners will have a stall in Darley Street, Bradford City Centre, from 12.30pm on Saturday when they hope to distribute thousands of postcards.

Shamshad Hussain, a leading campaigner who works at the Keighley Domestic Violence Forum, said: "Jack Straw is in a position to use his discretion in this case and we are looking for a substantial cut in the tariff, which as it stands means Zoora will not be released until 2012.

"We're using Saturday as an opportunity to speak to as many people in Bradford as possible. We hope they will take these postcards. They only need to add a stamp and their signature. Hopefully Jack Straw will show some compassion."

To obtain postcards, contact the Keighley Domestic Violence Forum on (01535) 210999.

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