One of two members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot who are serving two-year sentences for a protest against Russian president Vladimir Putin has been taken to hospital.

The country's federal prison service spokeswoman Kristina Belousova said that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is in a prison hospital in the province of Mordovia in western Russia, the site of her prison colony.

Ms Belousova refused to specify Tolokonnikova's illness or comment on her condition, saying only that it was "nothing serious".

Yekaterina Samutsevich, a band member who also was sentenced to two years in August but later released on appeal, says Tolokonnikova was suffering from headaches.

Samutsevich said on Rain TV that Tolokonnikova says she feels tired after working long hours with little rest.

Three members of the band were convicted on hooliganism charges in August for performing a "punk prayer" at Moscow's main cathedral, during which they pleaded with the Virgin Mary for deliverance from president Vladimir Putin.

Yekaterina Samutsevich was later released on appeal, but Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina were sent to prison camps to serve their sentences.