Former US first lady in hospital

Former US first lady Barbara Bush has been hospitalised with a respiratory-related illness, Sky News reported Wednesday.

Former president George H.W. Bush said in a statement that she had been admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital Monday.

The statement said the 88-year-old, who is the mother of former president George W. Bush, was "in great spirits".

Barbara Bush had heart surgery in March 2009 for a severe narrowing of the main heart valve.

She also had an operation on a perforated ulcer in November 2008.