A HAMPSHIRE family have issued a fresh appeal to Islamic State extremists who are holding one of their family members hostage. 

Jessica Cantlie spoke out on behalf of her terminally-ill father Paul, and has urged Islamic State to “restart dialogue” with her family over the release of her brother John, who is being held in Syria.

Paul Cantlie made an emotional appeal for his son's release from his hospital bed earlier this month.

John Cantlie, an experienced photo-journalist, was captured by militants in Syria in 2012, and has recently featured in several propaganda videos released by the group.

Fears for the 43-year-old's life have been growing recently, after IS murdered British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.

In a statement released tonight, his sister Jessica Cantlie said it was ''frustrating'' that contact with her family has stopped.

''It is not true to say that there has been no attempt to engage with IS. It is simply not accurate,'' she said.

''This is frustrating for all parties, including those who are trying to assist us. We had previously been in contact through a channel started by you, but then this stopped for reasons best known to you.

''Sadly, like the families of David Haines and Alan Henning before they were killed, our efforts at re-opening dialogue continue to be ignored by those holding John.

''We strongly challenge those holding John to return to your previously opened channel, to which we continue to send messages and await your response so that in keeping with everyone's wishes, we can restart dialogue.

''We implore IS to reinitiate direct contact.''

Ms Cantlie's statement referred to her father, Paul, who himself pleaded with his son's captors from his hospital bed earlier this month.

''I am talking on behalf of the head of the Cantlie family,'' she said.

''My father, Paul, is terminally ill and incapacitated.''

Referring to her brother's appearance in the videos and article, Ms Cantlie said his ''words are powerful and have huge resonance''.