The friend of a photojournalist held captive in Libya has pledged a personal lent until he returns home to his young family.

Anton Hammerl, 41, has now been missing for more than a month, after Gaddafi loyalists captured the father-of-two in Brega on April 5.

The South African national, who lives in Surbiton, has missed his wife’s birthday – which is the also the anniversary of when they first met.

Libyan authorities have allegedly confirmed he is being held, but to date, he has had no contact with his family or any Government officials from the UK or his home country.

In a bid to show solidarity, friend Glynis Kearney said: “I wonder daily about how he is being treated. Is he warm at night, is he being fed nourishing food, is there someone with him that he can go through this harrowing journey with?

“And so, I made a choice to pay penance as lent for him.

“Each time I sit down for a meal, I remind myself of the food that Anton is more than likely not enjoying, and I share my meal with him.”

Mrs Kearney has known Mr Hammerl for 15 years, and met him when he asked to photograph her 18-month-old twins.

Since his disappearance, she has attended demonstrations in South African parliament, tweeted daily, lit candles, made posters and regularly updated members on Facebook’s Free Photographer Anton Hammerl.

She said: “He is infectious, honest, pure in his commitment to bringing the truth to the world through his art. He is also an amazing soul, dedicated husband and father to two young sons. He is, as importantly, someone I consider my friend.”

Meanwhile, award-winning South African photographer Jodi Bieber played her part in keeping Mr Hammerl’s plight in the spotlight when she collected a world press award for a TIME magazine cover she shot in Afghanistan.

In her acceptance speech, in front of prestigious picture editors from all over the world, she said: “I am pleading with my family, the international community. Please help. Let's help our community to stay alive.

"I would really like you to write about this because by writing about it, we are going to keep him alive."