by Graham Tutthill

The family of a former St Margaret's man held hostage in Nigeria have spoken of their relief after he was released.

Robin Hughes, 59, was one of a number of oil workers taken captive by militiamen on September 9.

Most were released some time ago, but Mr Hughes and another man, Matthew Maguire, were still being held.

On Sunday, Mr Hughes's family were told he had been released.

His captors said they had let him go because of his health and age. It is understood he had been taken to hospital for treatment for an undisclosed medical condition.

Mr Hughes's younger brother Simon said: "[Robin] didn't have a lot of detail about the treatment by the captors - but he was in fairly good humour."

His other younger brother Mark said the family were "overjoyed".

Audio: Robin's brother, Simon, speaks of his delight at the release

"We thought this might be a long drawn-out affair, possibly going on for a year. We can't imagine what it had been like for him. We were worried this day might never come."

Mr Hughes now lives in Brazil with his wife and 16-year-old daughter.

Mr Maguire is still being held, and the Hughes family said their thoughts were with him and his family.