Family's joy over freed cameraman

Friends described the news of Mr Wiig's release as "terrific".

The family and friends of a cameraman taken hostage in the Gaza Strip 12 days ago have spoken of their relief following the news of his release.

Olaf Wiig, who lives on a farm in West Sussex, was held with his American colleague Steve Centanni. Both men work for the US TV channel Fox News.

Mr Centanni said the pair were forced at gunpoint to convert to Islam.

Mr Wiig's neighbour, Meri Black, said: "It was so nice this morning to hear they had released him."

She added: "He looks great. I've just seen a clip on the television and he looks normal Olaf.

Mr Wigg, left, has told family and friends not to worry about him

"Obviously you can't really tell but he doesn't look as though anything horrid has happened so it's great news."

His wife's aunt, Alison Mountain, said she received 11 phone calls in one hour from people wanting to talk to her following the good news.

The men's captors had called for the release of "Muslim prisoners" in America. The US government rejected the demands.

The pair were dropped off at a Gaza City beach-front hotel following their release.

Their abduction was one of the longest kidnappings of foreigners in Gaza in recent years.

New Zealand-born Mr Wiig, 36, and his wife Anita McNaught, a former BBC presenter, have lived in Horsted Keynes for six years.