Colombian guerrillas have said they would be prepared to consider an exchange of seven hostages for rebels held in prison, it was reported today.

A senior Roman Catholic Church leader met with imprisoned leaders of Colombia’s second-largest rebel group as part of stepped up efforts to secure the release of seven foreign hostages.

A British tourist who was kidnapped 12 days ago in the snow-capped mountains of northern Colombia has escaped from his captors and has been picked up by an army patrol, Colombia’s army chief said today.