It is an anxious wait for news for relatives and friends of the French national kidnapped by militants in Algeria.

The captors of Hervé Gourdel are threatening to kill him unless France stops its military campaign against Islamic State fighters in Iraq.

People in the village near Nice where he worked have spoken of their shock.

One man said: “I’ve known him since he was a little boy. He’s a wonderful guy. I have tears in my eyes.”

Henri Giuge, the Mayor of Saint-Martin-Vésubie, said: “We don’t understand, we just don’t understand. But what worries me is that this ultimatum is very short.”

French authorities say they are working closely with officials in Algeria to try to work out a rescue plan.

Meanwhile, a facebook page has been set up in support of Hervé Gourdel.

In a message before he left on holiday, he told a friend he planned to return at the start of October.