REPORTS that a British grandmother has lost her appeal against a death sentence for trafficking drugs into Bali are being investigated.

Unconfirmed reports this evening suggest that a three-judge panel at the Supreme Court in Jakarta has unanimously rejected Lindsay Sandiford's appeal.

They have agreed with the decision taken by Bali's Denpasar district court, which sentenced her to death, and the islands high court, which rejected her first appeal.

Sandiford, 56, originally from Redcar in east Cleveland, was sentenced to death by firing squad after being found cocaine worth an estimated £1.6m as she arrived on the Indonesian island on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, in May last year.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We are aware of unconfirmed reports that the decision of the Indonesian Supreme Court has been announced. We are seeking confirmation of the decision from the Indonesian Supreme Court.

"We will continue to provide consular assistance to Lindsay Sandiford and her family at this difficult time."

Balinese police claim Sandiford was at the centre of a drugs-importing ring involving three other Britons.

She denies the allegations, claiming she was forced to transport the drugs to protect her children, whose safety was at stake.