Former News of the World journalist Clive Goodman was taken to hospital today, minutes after he was due to continue giving evidence at the phone hacking trial.

On what would have been his sixth day in the witness box, Mr Goodman - who has recently had a heart operation - complained to court staff that he was feeling unwell.

He was seen by a matron at London's Central Criminal Court who judged him to be unfit to continue giving evidence until seen by medical staff.

Shortly before 11am Judge John Saunders sent the jury home for the day, telling them that Mr Goodman had been taken by ambulance to St Thomas' Hospital for a check-up.

He added that that they were aware of Mr Goodman's recent medical history and that he would be assessed again prior to the planned recommencement of the case on Monday.

Mr Goodman, jailed in 2007 for phone hacking royal aides, and his former editor, Andy Coulson, are accused of making payments to police officers to obtain three Buckingham Palace phone directories.

Mr Goodman had been cross-examined all day yesterday by Mr Coulson's counsel, Timothy Langdale, and Mr Langdale's cross-examination had been scheduled to continue today.

Mr Goodman, who was sacked from the paper in 2007, and Mr Coulson, who resigned as NoW editor in 2007, deny conspiring to commit misconduct in public office. The case is scheduled to recommence at 11am on Monday.