FRIENDS of Otley missionaries are praying for their safety after their office was ransacked by communist insurgents.

Paul and Sarah Wright, and their baby son, Jack, are in Nepal with the United Missions to Nepal.

And recently their project office in Jumla was attacked by Maoist

insurgents fighting the current leadership.

No one was hurt in the attack, but the insurgents destroyed vital equipment and paperwork.

In an email to friends at Otley Methodist Church, Paul wrote: "We are physically okay, but emotionally somewhat shaken.

"We have not suffered the same level of trauma of some of our Nepali colleagues, but we feel somewhat vulnerable."

The Rev Alistair Newton, vicar of Otley Methodist Church, said all their friends at the church were praying for them.

He said: "We are concerned about their wellbeing at the moment although it does look as though they will remain in the area at the moment.

"It is very much a case of wait and see at the moment, but we are

concerned for their safety."

Paul and Sarah, who own a house in Bridge Avenue, have been in Nepal for three years.

Paul, a teacher, is helping adults to learn to read and write.

They returned briefly at the end of the last year for their birth of their first child, Jack, who is now four months old.

Mr Newton said it did seem as if the couple wanted to remain in Nepal and to continue with their work teaching people to read.

He said the whole situation in Nepal was politically sensitive and they would have to tread carefully.

"This sort of terrorist activity is quite worrying, but they seem to

be in good heart and are safe for now."