The family of Joanne Lees, whose boyfriend disappeared in the Australian outback after the couple were ambushed by a gunman, today told of their relief that she was back in England.

Miss Lees had been working in a Sydney bookshop while she waited for news of her missing boyfriend, Brighton University graduate Peter Falconio, 28.

He has been missing since a gunman ambushed the couple on the Stuart Highway, 190 miles north of Alice Springs, on July 14.

Miss Lees, a travel agent who worked for Thomas Cook in Hove, was tied up but managed to escape and hide in the bush for several hours. She eventually managed to stop a passing truck driver and get help.

Mr Falconio has not been seen since the attack, although a blood trail was found by the roadside.

Today Miss Lee's stepfather, Vincent James, said he was delighted she was back, although the family had not yet had a chance to speak to her.

He said: "We are just happy to have her home. We haven't seen her for a year but we still don't know her plans.

"She arrived back at Heathrow yesterday. She is staying with friends and hopefully we will speak to her later today."

Mr James said the family was looking forward to spending Christmas with Joanne.

Earlier this year police investigating Mr Falconio's disappearance scaled down their investigation.

The number of officers working on the case has been reduced from 35 to 14.

Northern Territory Police denied the inquiry was at a standstill.