Paris Hilton's jail letter to fan: 'I'm being strong'

spokesman for the 26-year-old confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said she wanted to try to answer fans' letters personally.

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Hilton is serving a 45-day sentence for a probation violation at the Century Regional Detention Centre in Lynwood, California.

She is expected to be released on Monday.

In the letter to an unidentified fan, which was published by showbiz website E! Online, she wrote: "I read your letter and just wanted to thank you for your kind words of love and support.

"The fact that you took time out of your day to write me truly means the world. Especially at such a difficult and scary time in my life."

Hilton went on: "But I am being strong and trying to make the best out of the situation. And the letters I'm receiving really do put a smile on my face as I sit here in my cell, sad and alone."

The letter is signed "Love always, Paris Hilton", with hearts dotting the i's and "xoxo" under the signature.

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A Hilton spokesman said: "That letter was written by Paris. She's been trying to respond to her fans as they write, personally."

A judge sent Hilton to the downtown correctional treatment centre last week after her controversial brief release home with an electronic ankle tag.

Hilton's path to jail began on September 7 when she failed a sobriety test after police saw her weaving down a street in her Mercedes-Benz.

She pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation. In the months that followed she was stopped twice by officers who discovered her driving on a suspended licence.

She was ordered to attend Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer's courtroom, where he sentenced her to jail.