By Leon Watson Two young Britons jailed for trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5million out of Peru could be back in the UK by the New Year. UK authorities have agreed to let Melissa Reid, 20, and Michaella McCollum Connolly, 21, transfer to prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland, near their families. They are waiting for the Peruvian government to rubber-stamp the move, a process expected to take between three and six months. Scroll down for video Authorities have agreed to let Melissa Reid, 20, (right) and Michaella McCollum, 21, transfer to UK prisons Michaella McCollum, 21 and from Dungannon, County Tyrone, is set to be transferred from her jail in Peru to a prison in her home country. Her lawyer has described Peruvian jails as 'horrendous'
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Michaella McCollum and accomplice Melissa Reid were jailed last year
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Pair admitted trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5m from Peru to Spain
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McCollum's solicitor has said conditions in  jail she is in are 'horrendous'
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Following a protracted legal bid she will now be moved to home country
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But it could be months before she returns as the logistics are complicated
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Reid, 20, from Glasgow, has also bid for repatriation to a Scottish prison
'A prisoner repatriation agreement exists between Britain and @placeholder and Michaella and Melissa have paid compensation before making their transfer request, so the transfer should be approved.’