Martin returns with a thank-you note Farmer is eager to climb back on his combine harvester

The farmer arrived home shortly after 5.30am and spent some time inspecting his farm and taking his beloved dog for a walk in his fields.

The farm was sealed off while Martin was accompanied into the grounds by reporters from the Daily Mirror, which has bought exclusive rights to his story.

In a statement pinned to a gate, Martin said: ''I am delighted to be back here at Bleak House and particularly delighted to be reunited with my dog Otto after a very difficult few years.''

Thanking all his friends and supporters for standing by him, he said his case had raised important questions about householders' rights.

He added: ''I hope that my case will continue to provoke debate and it is my sincere hope that our government and our courts will properly recognise the rights of victims of burglaries over criminals.

''Nobody should feel in fear living in their own home.

''I am looking forward to getting back on my combine harvester. My only wish is to as far as possible get my life back to normal.''

The farmer took a morning stroll in the grounds, inspecting his rusting equipment and the crumbling outbuildings.

He also took his Rottweiler for a walk through his orchard and nearby fields.

A stream of neighbours and friends visited the farm, one man bringing a parcel of sandwiches from a village shop.

Malcolm Starr, a close friend and spokesman for Martin, said the farmer would probably be relieved to return to ''some sort of normality''.

He added: ''He was reunited with his dog, Otto, after driving 150 miles to pick him up yesterday. It is the most precious thing to him in the world.

''It is such a relief. Something I did not think would go on for four weeks went on for four years, so it is relief to have the pressure taken away and have him return home.

''It sounds as though he will be spending his time now repairing his combine harvester, checking his wheat and checking his orchard to see the consequences of not pruning for four years.''

Mr Starr said he believed Martin would now be safe at Bleak House, despite the threats made against him by the travelling community over the death of Barras.

He said: ''I think there is a strong police presence there and anyone would be off their heads if they thought they would get to him now. He's probably the safest person in the country next to the Queen and the prime minister.''

Friends and relatives at the home of Martin's elderly mother, Hilary, were also said to be ''delighted''.

A woman at Mrs Martin's house in Elm, Cambridgeshire, said: ''We are very pleased. He should always have been home and never have been away. If that chap had not been in his house, none of this would have happened, would it?''

Richard Portham, a neighbour and friend, said: ''I am glad he is back. I can't deny the threats to him are of concern, it is a worry, but it is symptomatic of the society we live in today.

''He always said he would go back home because this is his home and it has been in his family for well over 100 years.''

Police, who have set up a temporary unit at the farm, said they did not intend to leave the site until today at the earliest.

A police spokesman said: ''Our officers have been with Mr Martin on occasions over the last week, working with the prison service, probation service and representatives of Mr Martin's interests.''

The spokesman would not discuss security arrangements. ''Mr Martin has now returned home and what he does next is a matter for him.''

Martin was freed on licence on July 28 after serving two-thirds of a five-year sentence for manslaughter.

Barras died after he was shot in the back and his accomplice, Brendan Fearon, was wounded when they raided Martin's home in August 1999.

Martin was originally jailed for murder, but his conviction was later reduced to manslaughter on appeal, on the grounds of diminished

responsibility.