The president of Somalia has said he is hopeful about the release of a Kent couple seized by pirates.

It comes soon after news that Paul and Rachel Chandler, of Tunbridge Wells, were temporarily reunited.

A doctor who treated them last month said the Somali pirates had told him they'd seen each other.

The couple were captured while sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania in October last year.

They are both in their sixties.The group holding the Chandlers wants more than £4 million to secure their safe return.

The government has repeatedly said it does not negotiate with hostage takers and is refusing to discuss ransom demands.

The Foreign Office has refused to comment on the latest claims.