A JOURNALIST from East Lancashire has come out of hiding in strife-torn East Timor and spoken to his family for the first time in five days.

Freelance reporter Christopher Wenner, whose parents live in Slaidburn, contacted his wife, Liz, on the day it was revealed a Dutch journalist was found dead in the war-ravaged capital Dili.

Mr Wenner, who is the brother-in-law of award-winning TV writer Debbie Horsfeild, was believed to have been the only Western journalist remaining in East Timor. The reporter had been in hiding with freedom fighters and was filing articles for The Times and television stations.

Fears had grown for his safety after it was reported the body of a journalist had been found in Dili.

But the dead man was named yesterday as Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes, a 30-year-old reporter for the Financial Times.

Missing since Tuesday, Mr Thoenes is believed to be the first foreigner killed since peacekeeping troops landed in Dili on Monday.

Militia men have vowed to kill Westerners, whom they accuse of helping East Timor break free of Indonesian occupation.

Liz Wenner said: "Christopher has been in dangerous situations before but I think this has been the worst we have been through.

"Christopher told me he has seen some horrific things and he has been through some very difficult and trying circumstances. He has witnessed murders, but he is determined to carry on doing his job."

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