The father of an aid worker freed after a harrowing gunpoint kidnap ordeal in the Gaza Strip today told how she stayed "as cool as a cucumber".

Derek Blunt said he was proud of his daughter Christina, who spent an hour and a half in captivity after being ambushed by Palestinian militants.

The UN aid worker, of Colwell Road, Haywards Heath, was freed only when Palestinian forces stormed the building where she was being held.

Mr Blunt said an army hostage training course his daughter had taken - and come first in - would have helped her shrug off the ordeal. He said: "I'm very, very proud of her.

"For her, there's only one position to be in and that's number one, whether playing tiddly winks or out in the bush with bullets flying.

"She's a very seasoned 36-year-old. You name it, she's been there. I never worry about her. I'm anxious at times but she's as cool as a cucumber."

Ms Blunt was snatched with two other United Nations staff as bullets were fired at the Red Cross office in the occupied territory of Khan Younis.

The three were in a marked UN 4x4 vehicle when they were caught by six armed gunmen. The gang wanted to use the trio, who all work for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to secure the release of a militant captured the previous day.

After her release, Ms Blunt told reporters: "It was all pretty calm, really. They explained they were holding us not because of anything against the UN or ourselves but as a bargaining chip."

After allowing her to radio colleagues and explain what had happened, the three were taken to a house.

Palestinian security forces freed them shortly afterwards in a dramtic shoot-out, with troops ushering them to a waiting car as gunmen opened fire.

Ms Blunt, who was back at the scene helping refugees 24 hours later, added: "It became frightening when bullets started to fly. No one knew at whom or from where. We just crouched down in the car."

Ms Blunt has worked for the United Nations in Cambodia, India and the Balkans. She was one of the first UN officers to enter Kosovo when it was liberated in 1999.

Her 74-year-old father, a retired overseas sales manager, of Farlington Avenue, Haywards Heath, said: "It's a typical British under-call to say it was pretty calm when bullets were flying in all directions. It's the understatement of the year.

"She is very capable of looking after herself. That's part of her job."

"She's doing what she loves and she does it well. She's been in worse situations and she'll always face them down."

Born in Haywards Heath, Ms Blunt went to Christ's Hospital School in Horsham before studying economics and obtaining a master's degree in international studies at Bristol University. She spent three months in central Africa with other EU aid workers before coming to the attention of the UN.

A Foreign Office spokesman said all three aid workers had been unharmed. He added: "Ms Blunt is returning to her office and whether she remains in the area or returns to Britain will be a decision for her and her employers."