A BBC music presenter, who started his journalism career on The Packet, has been told he is free to leave Zimbabwe after being locked up for not having a work permit.

Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Petroc Trelawny, and according to his lawyer Mr Trelawny was in hospital under police guard receiving treatment for an injured arm until his release.

The injury to his arm came when he “fell” while in police custody.

Former Helston School student Mr Trelawny, who grew up in the Meneage area of the Lizard Peninsula, was arrested in Bulawayo by immigration officials when he helped compare a children charity music festival.

The BBC faces serious problems reporting from the county, with all journalists required to be accredited by a state-appointed commission - although Mr Trelawny was not on duty for the BBC when he was arrested.

Mr Trelawny, who presents on BBC Radio 3, first did work experience at the Packet as a teenager, before becoming a community correspondent. He went on to work for BBC Radio Devon and Classic FM.

Lawyer, Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga told news agencies that Mr Trelawny was “effectively a free man”, and that he was just waiting finalisation of a few formalities.

He said: “He was very happy and thanked us all very much. He was smiling a lot.

“The nurses were attending to him so I had to leave him, but he is a free man and tomorrow morning we will attend to the formalities, and get his passport back from immigration and a few personal possessions.

“I do not know when he will be leaving Zimbabwe; that will be his decision."