Briton held in Pakistan tribal region

A Briton has been held in Pakistan for nearly a month, it was revealed today.

Nicholas Bain, 70, was arrested in the country's dangerous tribal regions.

Authorities said he told officials he was writing a book and was trying to cross into Afghanistan when he was arrested in the Khyber region.

Khyber administrator Arshad Khan said he was being held in the north-western city of Peshawar.

Foreigners need special permission to enter Khyber and other tribal regions, which are home to Taliban and al Qaida militants.

Mr Khan said Mr Bain was likely to be charged with entering the region without permission.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said today: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national, Nicholas Bain, in Pakistan, on August 28.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family."