Two Sussex men convicted on drugs charges in Morocco began a hunger strike today over "injustice and prison conditions".

Paul Humble and Gregory Saxby, both in their 40s and from Eastbourne, were both jailed for ten years in 1998 for smuggling £7 million of cannabis on the delivery boat Arctic Fox.

Joining them in their protest is Paul Smith, 39, from North Yorkshire, jailed for ten years in 1998 after accepting an invitation to join a sailing holiday. The vessel was found to have cannabis sealed in its hull.

All three deny any involvement in drug smuggling.

Campaign group Fair Trials Abroad said the three were among 70 European inmates and 100 Moroccans taking part in the protest at Sale prison in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

Director Stephen Jakobi said: "This is a mass hunger strike against injustice and prison conditions.

"On top of their ten-year imprisonment, they face a further two years each if they cannot afford to pay a fine of at least £20,000. They want to draw attention to their plight.

"Mass hunger strikes are rather rare and we do not advocate our clients using these tactics.

"I am concerned for their welfare because there is a risk that they will harm themselves by taking this course."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We were advised that the men were due to go on hunger strike and our consular staff are due to visit them tomorrow."