The family of a British pro-democracy activist jailed in Burma have been "stunned" by news that his 17-year sentence is unlikely to be reduced.

Burma's military government said 26-year-old James Mawdsley - jailed for handing out anti-government literature - was being held according to "internationally accepted standards" and should not expect clemency.

Government spokesman Lt Col Hla Min said Mr Mawdsley was "not an actual threat to national security" but could not be trusted not to repeat similar activities in the country again.

James's mother Diana, speaking from her home in County Durham, said the family was "stunned" at the stance.

"I was not aware at all that this was going to be said. This has come completely out of the blue," she said.

Last November 28-year-old Briton Rachel Goldwyn was freed from a seven-year sentence imposed by a Burmese court for singing pro-democracy songs.

She had signed a written undertaking never to engage in political activity in the country again.

But Mr Mawdsley has refused even to appeal against his sentence.

The former Bristol University student, a citizen of Britain and Australia, was arrested last year in the town of Tachilek, on Burma's border with Thailand.

He is currently being held in a prison in Keng Tung, 87 miles north of Tachilek.

Lt Col Hla Min said he had "probably been exploited" by pro-democracy groups who oppose the military regime, which has ruled Burma since 1962.

"I am not sure who would even accept responsibility for his release because there is no guarantee he would not do this again," Hla Min added.

Mawdsley had been arrested on two previous occasions in Burma.

He has said he was tortured during his second arrest, when he was released after 99 days in solitary confinement.

Mawdsley was first arrested in September 1997 after chaining himself to a fence in Burma's capital of Rangoon and shouting pro-democracy slogans. He was immediately deported but returned less than a year later.

On Wednesday he received a visit from his father, David, who arrived from England earlier in the week.