Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said he shared the family’s feelings of relief and he hoped that in time they would be able to put the nightmare behind them.

“This is wonderful news but Mrs Tebbutt and her family will need time, space and support to get over the tragedy and trauma they have been through over the last six months.

“Let us not forget that this is a family who lost a loved one in terrible circumstances and feared for many months they could lose another. The days and weeks ahead will be challenging but everyone in the community will offer their full support in whatever way they can.

"I want to pay tribute to the family's dignity, and also to the restraint the local media deserve credit for acting responsibly when asked to do so by the Foreign Office.

“Judith was in a perilous and unpredictable situation and it was important that the reporting of the story was handled sensitively to optimise the chances of a positive outcome for her."