A charity supporting torture victims is calling for an Iranian asylum seeker who has been on hunger strike for a month to be released from an English prison.

The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture says it fears for the man's survival and says his case should be reviewed.

The Iranian - who says he would rather die in the UK than return to Iran - was taken into hospital this week but is due to return to Rochester jail in Kent, where he was being held.

News of the man's plight comes as the government announces it is seeking to increase the numbers of asylum seekers detained and raises concerns over the effects of forcible detention on would-be refugees.

Shell-shock

The Iranian man, who has not been named, has not eaten for more than a month and has not taken any fluids for the past five days.

His lawyer is applying on Friday for him to be released on bail.

The charity says the man is showing signs of shell shock and severe depression - he is highly disturbed.

It says it is inhumane for him to be detained or deported.

Immigration are holding him because he has already lost an asylum claim in Germany. He faces being sent back there but fears Germany will deport him to Iran.

A second Iranian is also in hospital after going on hunger strike at Rochester jail.

The Home Office says around 40 detainees refused food last year for varied reasons.

The Medical Foundation says that since 1990 there have been 10 asylum-related deaths.

They fear the government's plans to increase the number of people detained will lead to more people suffering mental trauma, and attempting suicide.