A 30-hour kidnap ordeal was brought to a dramatic end last night when a North-East businessman was returned to his family safe and well.

A man was being held by Cleveland Police in connection with the abduction of the Hartlepool man on Monday afternoon.

Police had requested a news blackout earlier yesterday, preventing any details of the drama from being released to the public, as they tried to bring the hostage situation to a safe conclusion.

News of the kidnap victim's release broke shortly after 11pm last night.

Officers held a confidential media briefing yesterday evening at Cleveland Police headquarters, in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, where they outlined the bare details of the case to the Press.

Reporters were told that the businessman, who is in his mid-40s, had been kidnapped some time after 2pm on Monday.

The last sighting of him was at a car repair garage at 2pm.

His brother, also a Hartlepool businessman, raised the alarm just after 1am yesterday and told police he had grave concerns about his brother's welfare.

He told officers he had received a number of ominous telephone calls from his brother's mobile from a man, who possibly had a Geordie accent, demanding a large amount of money for his brother's release.

Five calls were made up to 9pm on Monday, one of them from the terrified victim, who said his kidnappers "meant business" and that he was being held against his will and had been threatened.

Close relatives had been looking for the businessman during the afternoon and evening before police were alerted.

A police operation was launched in the early hours and was then stepped up throughout yesterday.

Family members were taken from their homes to places of safety amid concerns for their welfare until the ordeal was successfully brought to an end.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Bonnard told reporters that throughout yesterday, there were further telephone calls from the kidnappers demanding a significant amount of money.

Police inquiries stretched throughout the North-East, with officers liaising with colleagues from the Durham and Northumbria forces.

At the media briefing, Mr Bonnard said the kidnapping was a mystery and officers could find no reason why the businessman had been singled out.

He said the victim was well- known in the construction industry, but declined to say whether he was known to the kidnappers.

Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who was leading the inquiry, told reporters at the briefing: "We have had a number of phone calls which have satisfied ourselves that we have a kidnap situation. We have got to be extremely careful that we do not compromise our inquiry."

A police statement said later: "The Hartlepool businessman has now been released and is safe and well.

"Reporting restrictions are now lifted and we thank you for the co-operation we have received in bringing this operation to a conclusion. One man is helping police with inquiries."

A Press conference is due to be held this morning when further details will be released.