Did anyone watch My Holiday Hostage Hell last night on Virgin1 channel. The story was about a woman in her 30's and her mother who, during a minibus journey near La Paz in Bolivia, were both kidnapped. They were forced to give their credit card pin numbers to the kidnappers and their bank accounts were systematically milked for about £3000 or so.

The thing that really both amazed and angered me about the whole story was what happened after they were released by the kidnappers and managed to get to a police station. Having no money and no access to any money through credit cards, cash machines etc, they done what any British person would do, they contacted the British Consulate.

After telling them about the ordeal they had been through and that because of this they had no money and no credit cards, they were told that the office was now closed because it was Friday night and it wouldn't be open again until Monday morning. After pleading with them that they really needed some money urgently for food, a hotel and for travel etc, they were told that the office is now closed, but if you want us to open it up to help you, you will have to pay £70 to which the woman could only reply, BUT WE HAVE NO MONEY.

Fortunately for them, when they were released, a Dutch couple who had also suffered the same ordeal were released along with them and when they contacted their Embassy they were only too willing to help; not only their own Dutch nationals, but the two British women as well.

It just goes to show, we all take it for granted that if we are really in need or if we get into trouble abroad, that the British Embassy or Consulate will be there to help....... don't count on it..... especially if it's after 5pm or over the weekend.

Iain.