Alan Henning's Wife Barbara Appeals to Isis to Release British Hostage

The wife of British aid worker Alan Henning, who has been held hostage by Isis, has appealed to the militant group to release her husband, a "peaceful and selfless man".

Barbara urged the Islamist organisation to "see it in their hearts" to free the aid convoy volunteer who was captured by the extremists while on a humanitarian mission in Syria last year.

"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. When he was taken he was driving an ambulance full of food and water to be handed out to anyone in need," said the wife's statement released through the Foreign Office.

The 47-year-old former taxi driver from Manchester was shown towards the end of the video footage in which British captive David Haines was executed.

The militants have threatened to kill Henning if the UK does not pull back its campaign in Iraq and Syria against the Islamists.

Barbara's latest appeal follows the plea of Muslim scholars in Britain calling for the release of the hostage.

Barbara's Full Statement

"I am Barbara Henning, the wife of Alan Henning.

Alan was taken prisoner last December and is being held by the Islamic State.

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.

When he was taken he was driving an ambulance full of food and water to be handed out to anyone in need. His purpose for being there was no more and no less. This was an act of sheer compassion.

I cannot see how it could assist any state's cause to allow the world to see a man like Alan dying.

I have been trying to communicate with the Islamic State and the people holding Alan. I have sent some really important messages but they have not been responded to.

I pray that the people holding Alan respond to my messages and contact me before it is too late.

When they hear this message I implore the people of the Islamic State to see it in their hearts to release my husband Alan Henning."