HUNGER striker Barry Horne's deteriorating health has become a "cause for concern", the Prison Service said today.

Horne is now in his 15th day without food at Full Sutton Prison, near York, as his mystery fast continues.

His supporters claim he is refusing liquids as well as food, but this could not be confirmed by the Prison Service because Horne has access to a sink in his room.

But a Prison Service spokesman said: "His condition is now cause for concern and he is being regularly monitored by medical staff and offered all possible medical provision."

John Pounder, a Horne supporter from the Animals Betrayed Coalition, said Horne was sticking by his decision not to issue any statement about the reasons behind his new hunger strike. But he added: "We will be issuing a press release in the event of Barry's death and, frankly, that is the only outcome I can see."

Colin Watts, general manager at York District Hospital, said senior doctors at the hospital who looked after Horne on his 68-day hunger strike last year were in daily contact with medical staff at the prison.

But he said there were no plans to transfer Horne to York District Hospital. The animal rights activist - who failed in a recent appeal against his 18-year sentence for fire bombing - spent 27 days at the hospital last year.

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