HUMAN rights activist James Mawdsley returned from a secret visit to Burma at the weekend, just six months after he emerged from a lengthy stay in jail.

The 28-year-old democracy campaigner spent the past three weeks visiting political prisoner friends over the border with Thailand.

His mother Diana, a nurse from Brancepeth, near Durham, said he was at little risk of imprisonment - only death from marauding guerrillas.

He was guided by minority Karen dissidents across the border from Thailand.

They travelled through dense jungle to an impoverished village whose school is to receive £1,500 donated by a Thai businessman inspired by the Briton's solo campaign against Burma's military regime.

When Mr Mawdsley was released from a 17-year sentence last October it was on the understanding that a return visit could see him jailed for years.

His mother said there was no political risk for her son this time.

She said: "He knows there was no point in challenging the authorities this time, but he did want to see some people who are desperately fighting for their lives in jails and refugee camps."