WORSHIPPERS at East Lancashire mosques who gave money to the aid convoy to Syria, one of whose workers now faces beheading, will be ‘angry’ and ‘gutted’ by his seizure by the jihadists.

This is the view of Muslim politicians across the area who have called on Alan Henning’s Islamic State captors to release the 47-year-old unharmed.

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The taxi-driver and father-of-two travelled from Bolton to Syria in December last year as part of a major North-West humanitarian mission organised by the UK Arab Society with eight other volunteers from the region.

Former Lancashire Council of Mosques chairman and ex-Blackburn with Darwen Mayor Salim Mulla said collections at mosques across East Lancashire raised more than £10,000 towards the 20-vehicle convoy transporting life-saving medical equipment.

Mr Henning was threatened with death at the end of a video released by IS on Saturday, showing the barbaric killing of British hostage David Haines.

It follows the executions of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

Queens Park Coun Mulla has been joined by Hyndburn Mayor Munsif Dad and Pendle council Labour group leader Mohammed Iqbal in condemning the abductions and killings.

Coun Mulla said: “Thousands, possibly tens of thousands of pounds, was raised for this convoy by collections at mosques in Blackburn and across East Lancashire.

“People who gave money to those collections will be gutted at Mr Henning’s kidnapping.

“It is not Islamic.

“It is barbaric to seize someone going to help in this way.

“He should be released immediately.”

Coun Iqbal, who represents Bradley ward, said: “East Lancashire Muslims who gave money to this convoy will be very angry and disgusted.

“He should be freed unharmed immediately.”

Spring Hill ward councillor Dad said: “This is shocking and unIslamic.

“I condemn IS’s activities completely. East Lancashire Muslims who supported this aid convoy with donations will be horrified.”

Mr Henning had helped on a previous convoy into Syria in March 2013.

It is understood he was kidnapped around Christmas just 30 minutes after crossing into Syria from Turkey.

Prime Minister David Cameron hailed Mr Haines as a ‘British hero’ and vowed to ‘hunt down those responsible and bring them to justice no matter how long it takes’.