TENS of thousands of people in Britain and across the world united in prayer in the special and moving vigil yesterday for Blackburn hostage Paul Wells and his fellow captives in Kashmir.

And today, as Paul endures his 538th day in the hands of separatist guerrillas, let us hope that the message flowing from those combined prayers brings freedom at last.

For one truly positive note was emphasised yesterday by the presence of former hostages Terry Waite and John McCarthy at yesterday's service - that hope must never be extinguished and that prayers are answered.

Our prayer, then, is that Terry Waite's message, broadcast across the world from Blackburn, for information on Paul and his colleagues to be relayed to him is also answered.

And at Christmas, that special time of families coming together, we pray that Paul's parents are comforted by the power of undiminished hope and by the support that exists for them throughout the world.

Let them be assured they are not forgotten.

And, this Christmas, let us hope that the hostages get to know too that they are not forgotten - and that every day the fight for their release goes on, as do the prayers for them.

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