URI Geller has increased his reward for information leading to the return of student hostage Paul Wells and three other Westerners.The celebrity spoon-bender has increased his initial offer from £35,000 to £50,000.

Supporters of the Hostages In Kashmir Campaign were surprised by the move, which comes only a week after the initial offer.

A spokesman said: "We were at a loss for words. His reply was 'You don't need to say anything, we want the men home.'" Details of the offer will be printed in Indian and Pakistani newspapers in the hope that someone will come forward. Uri has written an open letter on behalf of the campaign. In it he offers his services as a go-between for anyone who may have news of the four Westerners.

The personality has printed his personal telephone number and address so that people can contact him with information.

The offer comes the day after Paul's father Bob Wells met the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and received assurances that he would try to discover what has happened to Paul, 26, of Bracken Close, Feniscowles, Blackburn, was captured in July 1995.

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