The 15 British sailors and marines freed by Iran arrived back in the UK today and greeted the world with smiles.

The 14 men and one woman disembarked from their British Airways flight at London’s Heathrow airport shortly after 12.20pm, posing briefly for the waiting cameras in the brilliant sunshine.

They had changed from the ill-fitting suits given to them by the Iranians back into their regulation British uniforms.

They clambered into two RAF Sea Kings which were waiting with their engines running to take them to Royal Marines Base Chivenor, near Barnstaple, north Devon.

Once there, they will undergo medical checks, a full de-briefing and - finally - be reunited with their families.

The naval personnel were held captive in Iran for 13 days before their release was announced by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday.

Paraded in front of the cameras one last time by Iranian state television, they were seen drinking tea and receiving gifts before leaving.

The sailors and marines left Tehran on commercial flight BA6634, travelling in business class, and touched down at Heathrow at 12.02pm.

The aircraft taxied to the VIP section of the airport near Terminal Four and was immediately surrounded by ground staff.

The freed crew remained on board for 20 minutes while luggage was taken off by baggage handlers.

Eventually they emerged, carrying the bags given to them by the Iranian authorities over their shoulders.

Dropping their luggage to the ground, they briefly lined up in front the cameras and media, joking with each other as they stood there.

They then filed on board the Sea King helicopters which lifted off and disappeared into the haze, heading towards the military base in Devon.

On arrival at Chivenor, they are expected to undergo medical checks and a full debriefing before being allowed to see their families.

A steady stream of traffic built up at the barracks as the base prepared for their arrival.