London - The British government expressed outrage Friday at a horror-themed party staged by "lifers" in a notorious women prison in London with participants "dripping in blood" in ghoulish costumes.

The tabloid Sun newspapers published front page photographs Friday of the party which it said took place in London's notorious Holloway prison last year, involving some 30 women serving life terms for murder.

The paper said the bash, which outraged prison staff, had cost 500 pounds (870 dollars) and included a budget for fake blood.

It showed women dressed in a variety of Halloween-style outfits, including vampires and devils daubed with fake blood and bare plastic fangs.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw Friday ordered an immediate ban on such parties and similar events which he said were "completely unacceptable."

"The event last year wasn't justified and Jack Straw has ordered that this won't happen again at Holloway or any other prison," his spokeswoman said.

The ministry insisted that the controversial event was not financed by the taxpayer, but covered by the existing prison budget.

"An event was held last year in normal association time at no cost to the taxpayer," the spokeswoman said. (dpa)