A British couple, who were detained for nearly eight months by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released.

Eighty year old Peter Reynolds, and his 76 year old wife, Barbie, who have lived in the country for nearly two decades, were on their way home when they were stopped on 1st February.

The couple was freed through Qatari mediation.

A Qatari official said they would fly to Qatar for medical checks before travelling to the UK, despite having a long-term home in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province.

Their release follows months of public lobbying by their family, who have described the harrowing conditions of their detention.

Meanwhile, the Taliban is yet to disclose the reason for their detention, despite four court appearances.