Bigley family's appeal

Craig urged the hostage takers to show mercy

The appeal made to the hostage takers by Ken Bigley's son, Craig, in which he asks them to show mercy and thanks them for showing his father is still alive.

"I am Craig Bigley, Ken Bigley's son.

This is Philip, Ken's brother.

We would like to send a message, on behalf of our family, to the people holding Ken.

This afternoon, another video of my father was shown on television.

We once again ask you, please show mercy to my father and release him Craig Bigley

We want to thank you for this opportunity to see him alive again.

Please could you pass on once more our love and thoughts to him.

His continued captivity is putting great strain on his mother, Lil, my grandmother.

From her hospital bed, she has asked us to pass on her love to her son.

My dad, Ken Bigley, is an elderly man who is only a few weeks from retirement - and from becoming a grandfather for the first time.

We, as a family, feel that the ultimate decision to release him rests with you, the people who are holding him.

We once again ask you, please show mercy to my father and release him."