Home support for Cornish sailor

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Family, friends, teachers and South West services personnel have expressed their support for a captured sailor who has appeared on Iranian television.

Nathan Summers, from Hayle, Cornwall, one of 15 sailors from HMS Cornwall, was seen apologising for his crew "trespassing" in Iranian waters.

His brother, Nick, said seeing him on screen was reassuring that he was well.

The captain of Cornwall's sister ship HMS Campbeltown said their thoughts were with the captured sailors.

I'll bet they are doing a fantastic job in coping Capt Rupert Wallace, HMS Campbeltown

Mr Summers, who is believed to be 21, was one of eight sailors and seven marines who were seized a week ago by Iranian Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.

Nick Summers, who is also in the navy, said his brother was a calm and "strong person", and he would "cope with this situation really well".

He added: "Knowing that there's other people with him, they'll help each other."

Nick Summers said there had been a lot of support for the family from the navy.

He said: "We're just hoping this situation gets resolved really soon and he's back home."

People in the close-knit west Cornish coastal town of Hayle said they were shocked at the news that he was among those seized.

Local landlord John Daniels, who runs the town's Cornish Arms pub and knows Mr Summers' family, said: "Everybody is just basically very concerned and hope the situation will be resolved very quickly."

'Extremely well trained'

He said everyone hoped that Mr Summers and his colleagues would be released unharmed as soon as possible.

Mr Summers attended Penpol Primary School and later Hayle Community School.

Both schools' head teachers said they wished him well and that staff wanted him to come home safely.

Mrs Chris Jackman, of Hayle Community School, which Mr Summers attended between 1997 and 2002, said: "A lot of staff remember him and recall him as a well-behaved, pleasant young man who excelled at sport.

"Our thoughts and wishes are with him and his family at this extremely difficult time."

Nick Summers said the family was getting support from the navyHMS Campbeltown returned her Devonport base in Plymouth on Friday.

Capt Rupert Wallace said his crew were thinking of those in the Gulf.

He said: "Cornwall's a sister ship; she is, of course, the ship of the county; and she's based right behind us here in Devonport.

"We're thinking of them and, of course, for their families in a very difficult situation.

Iran says two boats strayed into Iranian territorial waters. The Royal Navy says satellite data proved they did not.