THE girlfriend of a Scots pirate-buster who is locked up in an Indian jail is set to have an emotional reunion with him today.

Yvonne MacHugh boarded a flight for India yesterday after being granted permission to visit Billy Irving in Puzhal Prison, Chennai.

It is over six months since Miss MacHugh, 25, last saw her 33-year-old boyfriend, who left the couple's home in Connel, near Oban, to start a new anti-piracy job at sea on July 15.

The former Para should have returned on leave after completing two months on duty on board the American-owned maritime security ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio. But he was one of 35 workers from the ship arrested amid allegations that there were illegal weapons on board.

Miss MacHugh posted on her Facebook page: "After seven months I am finally getting to see the man I love."

The men are being held on suspicion of committing offences under the Passport Act, Essential Commodities Act and the Firearms Act.