Drug-trade Britons in overseas jails

More than 1,000 British nationals are imprisoned overseas on drugs charges, says the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Most are held in Spain (207), followed by the United States (141), Thailand and France (both 79).

Minister Chris Bryant said travellers should be "extremely wary" of getting sucked into drugs because they face long jail terms in harsh conditions.

He said: "The message is clear - we can't get people out of jail in other countries, so if you don't want to waste your life away in a tough foreign jail, be sensible and keep clean."

His comments came after a British drugs smuggler was executed in China last December despite widespread criticism of his treatment.

Akmal Shaikh, 53, from London, was killed by lethal injection after being caught carrying 8.8lb (4kg) of heroin into the country in 2007. His supporters said he was mentally ill.

Of 2,582 Britons held overseas, 1,057 are held on drugs charges, according to figures released by the Government today.

Pauline Crowe, of the organisation Prisoners Abroad, said: "Conditions can be very poor in overseas prisons."