A British teacher held hostage by militants in Libya has been released.

David Bolam, who worked at the International school in Benghazi, was abducted earlier this year, according to reports.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are glad that David Bolam is safe and well after his ordeal, and that he has been reunited with his family. We have been supporting his family since he was taken.”

She added: “We do not comment on the detail of hostage cases. The family have asked for privacy.”

His kidnapping had not been reported at the request of the Foreign Office and his family, reports said. Bolam flew back to the UK on Thursday night.

His release is believed to have been secured by local political factions in return for a ransom, the BBC reported.

It was understood demands for money had been made to the school, though it was unclear how much had been paid, or to whom. The Foreign Office was not involved in the negotiations, the BBC said.