Briton Peter Bleach was released from prison in India today after serving eight years for illegal arms dealing.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Bleach, 52, was released from jail this morning and was being looked after by consular staff at the British High Commission in New Delhi.

It is not known when he will return to Britain, the spokeswoman said.

No further details were given.

Home Secretary David Blunkett appealed for his release during an official visit to India last week.

India's deputy leader indicated then that Mr Bleach, from Yorkshire, would be released soon. He was in jail in Calcutta.

Mr Bleach was arrested in December 1995 with five Latvian air crew on charges relating to an illegal arms drop in India.

All six were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2000.

The Latvians were released four years ago and Mr Blunkett complained the Briton had not been treated equally by the courts in India. Mr Blunkett also appealed for release on humanitarian grounds on behalf of Mr Bleach's 83-year-old mother, Oceana, who lives in Scarborough.

Full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.