300 days have now elapsed since Blackburn back-packer Paul Wells was taken hostage by Kashmiri separatists - a milestone marked today by a plea from his home town for his release.

We pray that it brings a swift end to his ordeal.

And though none of us can truly imagine the anguish which he and his family have endured all these long days, we can offer them the small comfort that, all throughout, thousands of prayers are offered for Paul and his family.

He and they are not forgotten.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.