British child held hostage in Cambodia

A British child is among the hostages taken by a masked gang during a raid on a kindergarten in Cambodia, the British vice-consul confirmed today.

Six masked men took 70 students and three teachers hostage at the Siem Reap International School in north-western Cambodia at about 10am local time today.

Some captives were later released.

British ambassador David Reader is en route to the scene.

Gary Bonham, vice-consul at the British embassy in Phnom Penh, told BBC Breakfast: "We are not sure of numbers but we have been able to ascertain thus far that there is one confirmed British child at the school, and who is being held.

"We have our consular warden actually at the location - obviously it has become quite a focal point for the town.

"He is gathering information as it is being released and forwarding it straight away to the embassy."