PRAYERS were said in Iraq on Friday for murdered Liverpool man Ken Bigley, as his relatives made a new appeal for his body to be returned to them.

His family are desperate to find where Mr Bigley’s grave lies and asked officials for prayers and an appeal to be read in mosques across Fallujah, where they believe he rests.

The 62-year-old civil engineer was held hostage for 19 days in Baghdad, before captors beheaded him and recorded the murder on video, in October, 2004.

However, his family believe the broadcast footage was an evil charade since Mr Bigley had already been shot while trying to escape.

Last night, members of his family said they have not had a response from the prayers yet – but remain hopeful.

Yesterday, his sister-in-law, Jean Bigley said: “Ken’s brother, Phil, is keeping in touch with the foreign office and asked for these prayers, which were said in Arabic on Friday, I believe.

“The family want to know where his bones are and where he was buried.

“We haven’t heard anything from it but we hoped it might encourage somebody who remembers to come forward.

“This has gone on for long enough.”