'Mum is spending her birthday in prison in Iran'

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested by Iranian authorities in January

The son of a woman who has been detained in Iran has written her a letter to mark her 53rd birthday.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman, from East Sussex, were on an around-the-world motorbike trip when they were arrested by Iranian authorities in January and accused of espionage.

Joe Bennett, who lives in Folkestone in Kent, said he has spoken to his mother twice in the last 300 days, the most recent call lasting 20 minutes, where he said he could hear her "fighting in ways most people will not understand".

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Mr Bennett said: "With Christmas and both of their birthdays approaching, the one thing I want to give them is time they've lost."

He said: "The time that they've lost with families and loved ones is time that they will never get back.

"We're fast approaching a year - it's crazy how quickly that's gone."

In the letter to his mother Mr Bennett said: "Over 300 days without you. Over 300 days stolen. Moments we'll never get back, a year of life you should have lived, not endured.

"Mum, I love you. I miss you. And I'm doing everything in my power to make sure this is the last birthday you ever spend without us."

Lindsay Foreman (left) will spend her 53rd birthday in prison in Iran

Mr Bennett admits he tries to "keep as composed as possible", but he has "sleepless nights" thinking about them in Iran.

"The most recent visit by the Foreign Office confirms what we've been saying for months.

"Conditions are harsh, support is inconsistent and promises are not being kept," he said.

"Their psychological wellbeing fragile, but what gets me through is thinking of giving them a hug."

The couple were previously on hunger strike so they could access "basic things", including being allowed to see each other, Mr Bennett said.

He said they might go on hunger strike again.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The government takes all allegations of human rights violations, including that a detention may be arbitrary, very seriously, and raises concerns with local authorities where appropriate.

"The impact and influence we can have will not always be the same."