A human rights activist jailed in Burma has been praised by the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader.

James Mawdsley, 29, whose mother lives in Brancepeth, near Durham, was jailed for 17 years by the Burmese military regime for giving out pro-democracy leaflets.

He was kept in solitary confinement for 14 months and was regularly beaten by his captors, but was released in October 2000 as the outcry against his detention grew.

Since then, Mr Mawdsley has written a book about his experiences and is lobbying politicians to exert pressure on Burma to allow democracy.

Aung Sun Suu Kyi, who was recently released from house arrest, has paid tribute to Mr Mawdsley.

She said: "If, out of his own convictions, he chooses to do something that puts him in danger and not other people, then I think one has to respect him for that.''

Mr Mawdsley's campaigning helped raise awareness of the plight of Burma, renamed Myanmar.

Aung Sun Suu Kyi, 56, leader of the National League for Democracy, had been held under house arrest for 20 months in Rangoon.