The US radio preacher who predicted that the end of the world would take place last month has suffered a stroke.

Harold Camping, 89, was taken to hospital after falling ill at his home in California.

Charles Menut, a regional manager for Harold Camping's radio company, Family Stations Inc., told supporters about the stroke in an online message.

Mr Camping's radio company spent more than 100 million dollars (£61 million) publicising his Rapture prediction over the past seven years. When it failed to happen on May 21, Mr Camping was widely mocked and he called it "a very difficult time."

He has insisted that his prediction was correct and said the end would become apparent on October 21 instead.