A TEACHER who was taken hostage at gunpoint and bundled into a speedboat by kidnappers in Nigeria today told his East Lancashire-based sister: "I am so happy to be alive."

Martin Westbury, 39, and his toddler son Benjamin are recovering at home after being released unharmed in southern Nigeria.

Mr Westbury, who is the headteacher of the Shell school in Warri and his two-year-old son were seized at gunpoint and then bundled into a speedboat.

They were found by local village chiefs yesterday more than 24 hours after they vanished.

Today, Martin's sister, Alison Westbury-Spurr, 34, of St Thomas Road, Crawshawbooth, spoke of her nightmare as she waited by the telephone for news of her brother.

But she also revealed her elation at receiving the call that she had been hoping for from Martin to say that he and Benjamin were OK.

She said: "Martin said he was exhausted and was so happy to be back with his wife Lindsay and in one piece.

"He said Benjamin seemed all right, but he was fast asleep when he called. "I was told what was happening on Sunday and it was a case of just waiting by the phone for news.

"I was so relieved when I heard they were all right. Martin telephoned me and it was lovely to hear his voice.

"He didn't say much because he was so tired, but I am waiting for him to call again."

Alison, her husband Paul and her parents, who live in Widnes, gathered at her sister's house, also in Widnes, as they waited for news from Nigeria.

Martin, who has spent most of his professional teaching career working abroad, and Benjamin were seized on Sunday morning as they cycled in Ogunu and were bundled into a speedboat by the kidnappers, believed to be local youths.

A spokesman for Shell International, which owns the Shell school, confirmed that they had been returned to the Shell compound in Warri early yesterday by local village chiefs who had launched a search party. The Shell spokesman said: "The local chiefs organised a search party and found them. Then they were kind enough to bring them home.

"I believe they have been to a clinic for a check-up and are now back at home resting.

"They are very tired by the experience, but they are not hurt."

The spokesman added that he believed Mr Westbury would be taking some time off before returning to work at the school. The school caters for the children of both expatriate workers and local staff in the Warri area.

Martin took the job in Nigeria last year with his wife, who is also a teacher. The Westbury family is originally from the Penketh area of Warrington, but Alison has lived in Crawshawbooth since 1989.

The Shell spokesman added: "We will be interested to find out more details of what happened so that we can make sure we can function better and protect the security of our staff."

A Foreign Office spokesman said although there were already warnings of the risks of abduction in the Delta region, travel advice to Nigeria was currently being reviewed.

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