The laser Raman and the Fourier transform infra-red (FTi.r.) microspectroscopic analyses were conducted to monitor the interfacial degradation process in a model composite of an aramid fibre (Kevlar 49) and unsaturated polyester (UP) exposed to water at 30 and 90 degrees C. For micro-laser Raman spectroscopy, a single long fibre was embedded in the UP resin being subjected to static tension. Removing the applied tension after curing the film specimen introduced the residual tensile stress into the fibre. The progress of degradation by water in a region of interface was monitored by measuring the peak shift of the Raman spectrum varying proportionally to the stress generated in the fibre. The micro-FTi.r. measurements were done to examine the quantity and the state of absorbed water in the UP resin very near the interface. The thin film specimen, in which the long fibre was not subjected to pre-tension during the cure, was analysed under transmission mode. The residual tensile stress in the fibre was monotonously decreased in hot water at 90 degrees C, and completely released for about 150 h, although the stress reduction for early period of 24 h was mainly caused by the relaxation of elastic modulus of the UP matrix. In water at 30 degrees C, on the contrary, the residual stress remained the initial value for a long time above 1000 h. The micro-FTi.r. analyses revealed that at an early stage the isolated water is mainly observed, and then larger amount of clustered water is absorbed with increasing soaking time, particularly at 90 degrees C. At present, however, it is not clear which type of water more strongly participates in the interfacial degradation.