A Bradford businessman was today savouring his freedom following his release from an African jail after a murder charge was dropped against him.

Jacques Lapergue, 60, founder of a stained glass manufacturing firm, spent more than a week languishing in a prison in the Zambian town of Chipata as diplomats frantically worked to secure his release.

News of his release was sent to the Telegraph & Argus in a text message proclaiming "Jacques is free!!" from one of his work colleagues.

Mr Lapergue, a French national who has lived in Bradford for more than 30 years, had been in Zambia to visit a friend when he came across a man's body in the street.

He was badly beaten by locals who wrongly believed he was connected to the death and then arrested and charged with murder.

Franck Berthebaud, a co-director at the Antique Glass Studio in Bierley Lane, Bierley, said a witness came forward saying the dead man was her boyfriend and he was "not killed by a European man".

Mr Berthebaud said charges against Mr Lapergue were subsequently dropped and he was finally freed.

He said: "The mood was really lifted when we heard about the new witness statement. We knew this was the only logical outcome.

"He's out and we're all really happy.

Mr Berthebaud said Mr Lapergue has been staying at a Catholic monastery since his release.

Sandar Chanemougam, a counsel official at the French Embassy to Zambia and Malawi, was yesterday making the six hour journey to Chipata from Zambian capital Lusaka to pick him up.

Mr Berthebaud said the French authorities were being very helpful and doing all they could to help.

Mr Lapergue's release was confirmed by a spokesman at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs who said: "There is no charge against him. He is free."

Another colleague of Mr Lapergue, Phil Wilson, said: "There will be champagne when he gets back without a shadow of a doubt.

"I think he'll regard Chipata as somewhere not to go back to but I don't think anything could stop him going back to Africa. He loves the place, Malawi is like a second home to him.

"We're really looking forward to hearing his tales."

He added that the champagne corks will be on hold until Mr Lapergue is back and that getting him back to Bradford will be no easy feat.

He said: "We have still got to get him home, it's not going to be a simple procedure.

"We're hoping his ticket for the flight he missed will be honoured. He left the prison without money at all."

Joseph Benson, of Rhodesway, Lower Grange, has worked for Mr Lapergue at the glass studio for nine years. He said: "It was an incredible injustice and we just have to get him back to normality now.

"We want to take his mind off what's happened to him. He's really been through it, it must have been torture."

Mr Lapergue's MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Yorkshire and Humber Labour MEP Richard Corbett also lobbied for his release.

Mr Sutcliffe (Lab, Bradford South) said: "I was delighted to hear that Jacques had been released without charge, and we thank the French and British diplomatic missions in Zambia who obviously played a significant part in his release.

"It must have been a terrifying ordeal for Jacques and a very distressing experience for his friends here in Bradford. The priority now is to get him back home as quickly as possible."

Mr Corbett, who was informed of Mr Lapergue's predicament by Mr Sutcliffe, said: "I am delighted to hear that Mr Lapergue has been released from custody and that all charges against him have been dropped. I am sure he is anxious to return home as quickly as possible.

"I am sure this must have been a very distressing time for him."