Hopes high for release of Bangladesh hostages

Hopes are high that Tim Selby, the British man taken hostage by Bangladeshi kidnappers 17 days ago, will be freed today.

The kidnappers also snatched Mr Selby's two Danish colleagues.

Mr Selby's family in Oldham say they are on tenterhooks following reports that Bangladeshi government negotiators had been in contact with the kidnappers.

The Government minister leading the negotiations, Kalparanjan Chakma, said: "We have been able to establish contact with the kidnappers. We have word that the hostages will be freed today."

Mr Selby, 28, Torben Mikkelsen, 48, and Nils Hulgaard, 64, were kidnapped on February 16.

The three were snatched as they worked on a road project in the forested hills of south-east Bangladesh. The bandits placed a £1.1m ransom on their heads.

Mr Selby's family said they remained hopeful for an imminent release, but urged against any military action to free the trio.

His brother Jon Selby, 30, commented: "At the moment the Foreign Office are still trying to confirm whether this information is accurate.

"We know that the authorities have been in contact with the kidnappers and that they have asked for more time. If this is true then we are obviously delighted. We will just have to hold our breaths and hope that they are true to their word."

A Foreign Office spokesman said negotiations with the kidnappers were continuing, but they were being led by the Bangladeshi authorities.