FOR any couple, starting a family is an exciting and nerve-wracking time, with questions over finances, colours for nurseries and baby clothes.

But for Billy Irving and Yvonne MacHugh, these usual discussion are far from their minds as they are left wondering whether Irving, currently stranded in the Indian city of Chennai after being arrested last October along with more than 30 crew members aboard the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, will even be home in time for the birth. In fact, rather than returning home, he faces destitution on the streets of India while trapped in a legal limbo.

Irving, a 34-year-old from Oban, was part of the crew of the private US-owned ship, working to tackle piracy in the area when it strayed into Indian waters. The ship worked as a floating barracks for security guards tasked with protecting shipping lanes from pirates.

The Indian authorities accused them of illegally possessing weapons, including rifles and ammunition, but the charges were quashed in the High Court and the group were released in April.

Irving, along with five other British nationals arrested with him, had applied for their possessions to be returned and hoped to be able to go home soon after their release.

However, a challenge was made on the High Court ruling, sending the case to the Indian Supreme Court and stalling their return home, as the authorities may pursue other action against them.

Irving had been working with American firm AdvanFort at the time of his arrest, and had travelled to India on more than one occasion with no problem. Irving had worked in maritime security for more than two years.

He now fears he may be forced to sleep on the streets as the financial assistance from his family and friends is running dry.

Irving said: "It could be a possibility that I end up on the streets if I have no money and have exhausted the avenues. When it comes to that there will be no other option - if I have no money then I'll have nowhere to live. It's not just myself, it's all of us."

Irving strongly criticised the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and is now urging it to do more to help him and any other British citizens facing difficulties abroad.

"I'm exhausted with the whole thing," he said. "The people I'm asking to help, like the FCO, they won't help. They stated that they won't help financially at all to any UK national abroad and I find that terrible. I'm a taxpayer and have been since I left school.

"Why do I pay taxes if, when I'm in trouble and I need help, I don't get any help?"

Irving is currently being supported by his girlfriend MacHugh, 25, and his parents, Jim and Margaret Irving, but is struggling to cope. Staying in a hotel in Chennai, he rarely leaves his room unless it is to buy essentials such as toothpaste or toiletries, or visit a street vendor for food.

"I've got no cooking facility so I go down to a kebab shop and get bits of chicken from there, that's what I'm living on - it's the cheapest food you can get, the local street food," said Irving. "I've got internet, there's a gym in the hotel and that's how I get exercise.

"If you go out on the streets it's not clean at all. People always ask me for money but I've got none and it's not nice. It's kind of insulting the poor people here if you walk past them without giving them any money, but I'm poor too."

What Irving longs for the most is to be back at home with girlfriend MacHugh, his friends and family.

He is angered by the fact he can't help support his partner, who is currently six months pregnant.

"I miss my life," explained Irving. "I did have a life and it's been taken off me. To go back, to be with my friends, to be with Yvonne ... I'm missing out on the whole pregnancy and it's something that I will never get back. The other thing that annoys me is my whole family have to suffer through this.

"It doesn't matter how much I say I'm okay, they are not here to see I'm alright. I try to speak to them every day."

His physical health is returning to normal now - he was bitten by a dog the day he was released from prison and received a course of rabies injections - but is suffering dental pain and cannot afford treatment.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are following this case closely and await the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing. We continue to provide consular assistance to the men and have raised their case at the highest levels, including with the Indian prime minister.

"Our efforts have led to this case being progressed faster than would otherwise have been the case and faster than is usual in India."

The spokesman added: "FCO Minister Hugo Swire has met the families and their constituency MPs. We raised the men's concerns about conditions while they were in the jail with the prison authorities.

"It is not UK Government policy for the UK taxpayer to bear the cost of accommodation, medical or other associated living expenses for British nationals overseas, including those on bail.

"Our approach is to encourage British nationals to support themselves or seek financial assistance from family and friends. In this case we have also suggested charities that the men could approach. We have helped the men identify alternative sources of funding and accommodation."

"We appreciate the assistance provided by the Indian authorities and continue to work closely with them."