AN East Lancashire community worker who almost joined hostage Alan Henning on December’s aid convoy to Syria has appealed for his release.

As the friend whom he met on a previous trip to the war-torn country faces the threat of beheading, Yasin Seedat said: “It could have been me.”

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The Blackburn 30-year-old, who works in child development, joined the Bolton taxi-driver and father-of-two on a trip to Syria during Ramadan last summer.

Mr Seedat was one of several from the town who raised funds for the July trip and joined the convoy organised by charity Al-Fatiha Global Relief.

More than 100 vehicles were split into groups to deliver medical aid to Syrian refugees and he found himself travelling with Mr Henning.

The 47-year-old has been named as a hostage in a video by Jihadist group Islamic State, who have threatened to behead him just as they have already done to three other Westerners.

In a video clip sent back to supporters last summer, Mr Yasin asked Mr Henning to greet well-wishers in Blackburn and Preston.

The taxi-driver then says: ‘Hello Blackburn and Preston’ before adding ‘Assala-U-Alaikum’ – an Arabic greeting which means ‘Peace be with you’.

Mr Seedat said: “I met Alan on a previous aid trip to Syria last summer during Ramadan. He was a bubbly, friendly man.

“There were several people from Blackburn who had helped raised money for it.

“The convoy was split into several groups and I was on the one with Alan, the only white man in our group. I was with him for about ten days and got to know him well on the drive.

“He showed us round Venice, and I shared a cabin with him on the ferry to Greece. I am very upset he has been taken hostage.

“It would be appalling to behead him. He just wanted to make a difference.

“I went on the trip because I was approaching 30 and might soon be settling down. I wanted to make a difference, just like Alan.

“I was thinking of going on December’s convoy but work got in the way. If I had gone, it could have been me not him who was kidnapped. Whoever has taken him, I appeal to them to set him free. He doesn’t deserve this.”

Mr Henning’s wife, Barbara, and three senior Imams have already pleaded for his release.