An honest and kind businesswoman who stayed regularly in Islington has been jailed for two years in a Beijing labour camp for practising Falun Gong, a faith that is [banned and persecuted] in China.

Friends are campaigning for the release of single mother Feng Yang (also known as Annie), 42, amid fears she may be suffering torture and ill treatment in the Tiantanghe labour camp.

Antique dealer Ms Yang made regular business trips from her home in Beijing to Islington over the past 10 years, staying at the home of Agnes Wilton, an antique dealer in Camden Passage, Islington.

Ms Wilton, 62, of Queen's Drive, Finsbury Park, last saw her "Chinese daughter" in November last year.

She said: "It's so unjust. She's not a criminal. I don't follow Falun Gong but it's her faith, her religion. It involves regular exercise and it made her strong and healthy."

Ms Wilton has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative leader Michael Howard and The Queen, campaigning for Ms Yang's release.

"She's a single parent and she's going to miss her 14-year-old son growing up. His grandparents are looking after him but it's not the same as a mother," she said.

Ms Wilton has received no information on the welfare of her close friend and is concerned she may be ill treated.

She added: "She's very sweet and nice and always wanted to help.

"A few times I got very ill and she flew over to take care of me. She was coming anyway but it was an excuse to push the trip forward."

An Amnesty International spokeswoman said: "Thousands of followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which has tens of thousands of followers, have been arbitrarily detained for peacefully protesting the government's ban on their activities.