THE PARENTS of a tourist who was brutally raped in Cyprus have been outraged after TV journalists sneaked into hospital to try to interview her.

The 22-year-old woman from Blackburn was said yesterday to be in a stable condition at the clinic in Larnaca.

A hospital supervisor was unwilling to say more about the woman's condition.

She expressed her shock at the television crews.

"A group of television journalists evaded the receptionist.

"They tried to find the ward where the woman is staying so they could ask questions on her condition," she said.

The supervisor said the woman's parents were furious with the insensitivity the media had shown.

They had apparently reported the incident to the British High Commission in Nicosia.

The British High Commission said it was in constant contact with the family and were offering them full assistance.

But a spokesman was unwilling to comment further.

A 27-year-old diver from Liopetri in the Famagusta district was arrested in connection with the case last Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody for eight days.

He denies raping the woman.

He is reported to have told police he had met the woman at a club in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa.

Last Friday, he led CID police to a shed next to a construction site, where he claimed he had sex with the girl.

He denied raping the young tourist and using any objects to injure her.

DNA samples have been taken from the suspect for further examination.

Results are expected this week.

The suspect denied that he and two other men had kidnapped the woman, saying he was with her alone the entire time.

Famagusta district CID interrogated two suspects last Friday in connection with the rape.

No arrests were made.