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

Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, lived in the country for nearly two decades but were held on February 1 after being stopped while travelling home.

The couple was freed through Qatari mediation, which has been working with the Government and the pair's family to secure their release.

An official said: "Throughout their eight months in detention - during which they were largely held separately - the Qatari embassy in Kabul provided them with critical support, including access to their doctor, delivery of medication, and regular communication with their family."

A Qatari official said the couple will fly to Qatar for medical checks before returning to the UK.

An American woman, who was detained with the couple, warned they were "literally dying" in prison, after she was released six days prior.