Four hostages held by Colombia's left-wing Farc rebels have been released after more than six years in a deal brokered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

A delegation including Colombian High Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba took off to meet them at an undisclosed point in the Colombian jungle.

The release of Luis Eduardo Perez together with Gloria Polanco, Jorge Gechem and Orlando Beltran was major news in Venezuela as well as Colombia.

Hostage Gloria Polanco was given flowers by a rebel as she left the jungle after several years in captivity.

After the handover these Farc rebels were pictured returning to the bush.

After the hostages were flown to Caracas, Gloria Polanco was reunited with her sons.

Jorge Gechem had suffered from heart, back and ulcer problems while in captivity.

Orlando Beltran Cuellar went to the presidential palace with the other hostages to meet Hugo Chavez.

It was the second set of releases brokered by Mr Chavez who promised to continue working for all to be freed.