TWO graffiti artists who spent 62 days behind bars for spray-painting trains spoke of their `overwhelming relief' after being set free.

Thomas `TJ' Dolan and Thomas Whitaker were jailed for causing £13,000 worth of damage to carriages and railway buildings.

They were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in August.

But Appeal Court judges quashed the sentences following a massive campaign for their release. The pals were back in Macclesfield last night.

Dolan, 20, jailed for 15 months, said it was `unbelievable' to be reunited with his family.

He said: "It's been a mad two months. It feels good to be out of prison - like justice has been done. When me and Tom found out we were going home we didn't believe it, because the past few months have been nothing but bad luck.

"We are overwhelmed with relief."

He said they received `bundles' of letters each day from well-wishers ranging from primary school children to old people. The pair also received cash gifts and job offers from companies while they were locked up.

In an emotional letter to his mother in September, Dolan described prison as a `zoo of angry people' and told of his fears that he and Whitaker, jailed for 12 months, would be targeted for having long hair.

But on his release he revealed that they became popular in prison with fellow inmates who had been following their plight through the media.

He said: "Nobody slagged us off or gave us a kicking. People in prison are all right if you are on the level with them. People knew there was something different about us but at the end of the day we are not soft lads.

"People in there liked graffiti and everybody knew why we were there. We also met some lads from Newcastle who had been sent down for 12 and 18 months for graffiti."

He added: "The indignity of being in prison is that you can't get up to make a cup of tea or make a phone call when you want to - that did my head in the most. That, and being locked up with people who had done much worse things, like harmed kids."

The pals were initially separated but ended up in cells next to each other. They now plan to `continue their art in a more positive direction', resuming the work they did with young offenders before the conviction.

Supt Peter Holden of British Transport Police said: "Our officers will continue to robustly investigate graffiti damage on the railway as the damage caused has a serious economic impact and can affect passenger's perceptions of security."

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