MOSQUE leaders across the North West appealed at Friday prayers for the Bolton convoy aid worker held hostage by Islamic State to be released.

Alan Henning, aged 47, is described as a “local hero” by the mosque leaders in their appeal.

Mr Henning was captured on Boxing Day last year less than half an hour after arriving in Syria.

He has since been held captive by militant jihadists who threatened to behead him at the end of a video depicting the execution of fellow aid worker David Haines.

A section of the statement reads: "We appeal to those who are holding Alan Henning to release him unharmed and return him to his family and community.

“We ask those holding Alan Henning to appreciate that as a sincere and concerned humanitarian, he left the comforts of his life and travelled to help the people suffering the effects of the Syrian war by delivering humanitarian aid.

“We call on those holding Alan Henning to open dialogue with his family to begin the process of his safe return.

“We urge those holding Alan Henning to have understanding, compassion and mercy. We call for the release of our local hero.”