A BANNER to mark the 600th day in captivity of student hostage Paul Wells has been badly damaged by strong winds.

Blackburn Council mounted the Free Paul Wells sign in advance of an official unveiling ceremony yesterday afternoon to mark today's milestone.

But strong winds tore the poignant reminder of Paul's plight as a captive in Kashmir and workmen were forced to remove it.

Paul's father Bob, mother Dianne and sister Sarah attended the "unveiling ceremony" at Blackburn town hall where a £1,300 council donation towards Mr Wells' Spring fact-finding mission to Kashmir was also handed over.

Today Blackburn Council spokeswoman Suzanne Halliwell said she was disappointed that the weather had spoiled the attempt to keep Paul in the hearts and minds of people from his home town. She added: "It had to be removed to prevent it from further damage.

"It will hopefully be repaired and then displayed where it can be both protected from the elements and seen by the public."

The banner was intended to remain in place on the town hall building in King William Street until at least Easter.

On Monday, a nationwide poster publicity campaign will also begin.

Companies controlling billboards all over the country have given the The Hostages In Kashmir Campaign free space for signs bearing their logo, telephone number, the words 600 Days In Captivity and a picture of the four hostages.

A mobile hoarding will be displayed at Westminster.

Campaign spokesman James Bowman said the wave of publicity was timed to cover the run-up to when relatives of the hostages travel to India in April to press the authorities there to do more to ensure their freedom.

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