A Zimbabwean couple who have worked their farm for more than 30 years have been evicted from their land - following a claim by a British doctor who lives thousands of miles away.

Sylvester Nyatsuro, a GP who runs a clinic in Nottingham, was awarded the land which was seized by Zimbabwean police.

Seizure of land from white farmers has been going on for more than 15 years in the country, as part of president Robert Mugabe's redistribution plans.

Husband and wife tobacco farmers Phil and Anita Rankin say they have "lost everything", after heavily armed police took control of their farm and removed them in handcuffs.

"I cannot believe that a human being can be so cruel," Anita Rankin added.

Dr Nyatsuro's lawyers say he has done nothing wrong and the land belongs to the Zimbabwean state.

The doctor, who also runs a slimming clinic in Nottingham, fled Zimbabwe for the UK after turmoil around the first farm seizures.

While the seizures have been going on for many years, this is thought to be the first time the main beneficiary is British.

Dr Nyatsuro says he is not aware of any connection with president Mugabe - who often rewards his friends and supporters with land seized from white farmers.