THE father of student hostage Paul Wells has sent a message of support to the families of the Westerners who have been taken captive in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Bob Wells said they should try not to lose heart during the crisis and should take advantage of the support of the Government agencies working on their behalf.

Four Britons were seized with a Dutch couple, a German and 17 Indonesians in one of the most remote corners of the world.

Hundreds of troops and a British diplomat have begun a search of the central highlands of Irian Jaya, New Guinea, where the four Cambridge graduates were kidnapped on Monday by a group believed to be OPM Free West Papua movement.

The Westerners had been living among tribes, who still lead a Stone Age existence, since September.

Blackburn student Paul, 24, has been kept captive by a Kashmiri militant group named Al-Faran for more than six months.

Paul's captors, who want independence for the Indian province of Jammu and Kashmir, are also holding another Briton, a German and American.

Mr Wells, of Bracken Close, Feniscowles, Blackburn, added: "We know what the families of these new hostages are going through experience.

"Some days you do get down and get a bit fed up. But you've got the consolation that there is constant contact with Government officials who are working on your behalf."

Mr Wells added that it was sad the world had turned into a place where it was no longer safe to visit some of the most beautiful places.

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