A PRISONER who has been on hunger strike for 39 days was said to be giving cause for concern last night.

A close watch is being kept on 44-year-old Durham jail inmate Paul Jones, who has gone without food and water since December 4.

He has been moved into the prison's health wing, where he is offered food and medical assistance on a daily basis.

But Jones, who staged a hunger strike while in a London prison, is believed to have signed a living will, a directive pledging he does not want food or water. Prison authorities are not permitted to force feed inmates.

Jones, nearing the end of a 12-year sentence for offences including burglary, is believed to have begun his latest fast after fresh charges were brought against him for alleged sex offences.

With a release date of January 27, he learned of the latest allegations during the autumn.

He was due to appear at South Lakeland Magistrates' Court, in Kendal, Cumbria, on January 2, on charges of rape and indecent assault on girls aged under 16.

He was unfit to appear, and his next appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

Prison deputy governor Dave Thompson said: "He has given no indication why he has refused food. The staff here are continuing to try to get him to change his mind, up to now without success. He is giving us cause for concern."