A FORMER councillor who was involved in a 35-hour siege was last night said to be poorly in hospital.

Maurice Kellett, 60, was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital on Wednesday following the incident at his home at Colliery Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, near Sunderland.

The grandfather barricaded himself in after bailiffs and police called to serve him with an eviction notice, on Monday.

He said he had doused himself in petrol and would harm himself with a samurai sword if they forced their way in.

Police broke into the property at midnight on Tuesday, and Mr Kellett, who suffers from diabetes, heart problems, arthritis and high blood pressure, was taken to hospital.

Although he was later transferred to Washington police station, the former Hetton town councillor was readmitted to hospital when his health deteriorated.

Last night, his brother, Bill, a Durham City councillor, would not disclose the exact nature of Mr Kellett's illness, though he said it may have resulted from him drinking contaminated water after police cut off his supply.

The family is requesting an investigation into Northumbria Police's handling of the incident, and Bill Kellett said he planned to complain to Houghton and Washington MP Fraser Kemp.