James Lee is looking forward to visiting his family

James Lee from Dinas Powys, near Cardiff, was one of six men who were granted a royal pardon over their convictions for a series of bombings.

The five British men, along with a Canadian and a Belgian national, flew back to Heathrow on Friday, after being granted clemency by Saudi's King Fahd.

Mr Lee is with his fiancee in Manchester, but has spoken to his relatives on the phone and plans to visit soon.

His sisters Julie Parsons, Diana Lee, and Pauline Williams said on Saturday the family was organising a huge welcome home party for him.

"It's been a long wait, but we just can't wait to see him," Ms Lee said.

"We've waited two years and we're just glad he's home."

Mr Lee and the other jailed men had been convicted of a series of bombings that killed a Briton, Christopher Rodway, in November 2000, and injured several other Western expatriate workers.

In a statement following their release, the men asked for "some time and space with our families".

They said: "We are delighted to be home. We would like to thank everyone for their support, especially our family and friends.

"Also the British embassy in Riyadh, the government and the RAF support team for going the extra mile."

The men paid tribute to the media who "campaigned for and supported us".

Two of the men - Scot Sandy Mitchell, who had been living in Halifax, and Canadian citizen William Sampson, who was born in Glasgow - had faced public beheading.

James Cottle from Greater Manchester, Peter Brandon from the Midlands, Les Walker from the Wirral and James Lee from Dinas Powys, south Wales, had been sentenced to up to 18 years each.

A sixth Briton, Glenn Ballard, who was detained for 10 months but not charged, was also released.