Pirates demand $25m for tanker

Pirates who are holding the largest ship ever hijacked have apparently demanded the Sirius Star's owners pay a $25m ransom within 10 days or face "disastrous" consequences.

A man claiming to be one of the pirates told Agence France-Presse via satellite phone: "We do not want long-term discussions to resolve this matter. The Saudis have 10 days to comply, otherwise we will take action that could be disastrous."

The ship's owners Vela International, a subsidiary of the of the Saudi state oil company, have not commented on the matter, but Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al Faisal, confirmed on Wednesday that the company was negotiating with the pirates.

Yesterday, the families of two British men being held hostage on the Sirius Star appealed for their safe return. Peter French, 44, from County Durham is the ship's chief engineer, while James Grady, from Strathclyde, is its second officer.