BBC's Johnston says "amazing to be free"

GAZA, July 4 (Reuters) The BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston said today it was ''amazing to be free'' and that he had often been frightened during four months in captivity.

''It is just the most fantastic thing to be free,'' Johnston told BBC television live from Gaza, adding it was ''at times quite terrifying''.

''I dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room ... It's an amazing thing to be free,'' he said, sounding composed though somewhat tired.

Johnston said he had followed events on a radio during most of his time as a hostage and thanked people round the world, as well as his colleagues at the British public broadcaster, for their support and efforts to help secure his release.

He said he had spoken briefly to his family in Scotland.

REUTERS DKS RAI0805