A BRITISH woman working for an international human rights group is expected to appear in court in Angola this morning on national security charges.

Dr Sarah Wykes, who works for international anti-corruption group Global Witness, was arrested in the state's oil-rich Cabinda province on Sunday, and is accused of spying.

Global Witness said she was taken from her hotel to a police station, denied food or water for five hours and then charged and taken to the local jail.

The group refute the charges and is demanding the authorities release her immediately.

Dr Wykes was born in York but brought up in Brampton, Cumbria, and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. Before working for Global Witness, she obtained her doctorate and taught Spanish at Royal Holloway College in London.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are in touch with the Angolan government and are providing full consulate support. We have sent an officer to the area and are keeping in close contact."

Dr Wykes' sister, Caroline Kennedy, said: "What she is doing is very important. For the family, it has been a stressful and fearful time, but I really believe in the work that Sarah is doing, despite the risks.