THE wife of a British hostage just rescued in Iraq has thanked friends and supporters at Malvern Baptist Church for their prayers.

Pat Kember is "full of thanks" for the support her husband Norman received.

"I'm so grateful for everybody's thoughts and prayers and good wishes," she said.

The Kembers have visited Malvern several times and are well-known by congregation members.

Since Mr Kember's kidnapping, the church-goers have been lighting candles and holding prayer sessions for him.

Congregation member Eve Hitchman, who has known the Kembers for 40 years, said she was delighted he had been released.

"I'm laughing and crying and hopping about like a mad thing, I'm so, so happy.

"We believe that God used all the support to bring about just a little bit of peace," she said.

The Rev Ian Green, minister of Malvern Baptist Church, said he felt sure that, as a Christian, Mr Kember would have appreciated the prayers.

"We are absolutely delighted by his release," he said.

The Swords of Truth Brigade captured Mr Kember and three other men when they were carrying out work in Iraq as part of peace group, Christian Peacemaker Teams.

The hostage-takers wanted Iraqi prisoners released and issued threats to kill the men if their demands were not met. American hostage Tom Fox was found shot dead on Thursday, March 9.

Muslim anti-war campaigners pleaded with the group for the hostages' release.

Mr Kember, together with Canadian peace activists James Loney and Harmeet Singh, were rescued in an operation involving British troops in Mishadha, north of Baghdad, in was announced yesterday (Thursday).