The Lewisham Islamic Centre has joined forces with the wife of British taxi driver Alan Henning being held hostage by Islamic State.

Shakeel Begg, an imam from the centre based on Lewisham High Street, said he wanted to make it clear he stood with Mr Hemming from Eccles in Salford.

In a message to the militants Mr Begg said: “I urge you to understand the nature of this prisoner you are holding – a man of peace.”

Mr Begg’s message to IS echoes that of Mr Henning’s wife Barbara who has pleaded with IS to “see it in their hearts to release him.”

In a statement she said: "Alan is a peaceful, selfless man who left his family and his job as a taxi driver in the UK to drive in a convoy all the way to Syria with his Muslim colleagues and friends to help those most in need.”