Siege gunman releases hostage

The gunman at the centre of a 12-day house siege in Hull has released his second hostage.

Steve Wood, 39, a convicted kidnapper, took his ex-girlfriend and her 20-year-old daughter hostage on 10 June. He released the daughter on Saturday, but continued to hold her 40-year-old mother until last night.

Wood, who is armed with a pistol, remained in the house and Humberside police said they would continue with their "softly, softly" approach to Britain's longest domestic siege, which has so far cost in excess of quarter of a million pounds.