A total of 100 British hostages were freed and landed at Heathrow airport today with the promise of a further 400 to follow.

The Foreign Office expects all those held since Iraq invaded Kuwait in August to be home by the weekend.

Former Prime Minister Edward Heath, who went to Baghdad in October for talks with the Iraqi leader, has been credited with securing the release of the hostages.

There were long queues at Baghdad airport today as Iraqi officials cooperated in validating the passports of the freed men and women.

Confusion and delays

Many had been warned to expect a wait of up to 10 days.

British diplomat Julian Lyons said: "We were not sure at the time how long it would take to get the flights together.

"We thought it was best to give people bad news at the first step."

The long process raised fears among passengers they would not travel after having had their hopes dashed before.

Released hostage David Eddy said: "We had another day when we came up here when Mr Tony Benn [MP] was scheduled to come in.

"He came - he met us - we thought we were on a homeward ticket.

"As soon as he left the hotel we were shipped out very callously, it was a hard day."

'Agonising wait'

There were reports from the British embassy in Baghdad that increased surveillance by Iraqi authorities was holding up the process of repatriation.

But after an agonising wait the first group was released and travelled via Frankfurt where travellers celebrated with champagne.

Medical officials and social service personnel were on hand to offer advice and guidance on their return to London - where they landed to cheers and applause.

Foreign nationals in the Gulf were forced into hiding after being caught in Kuwaiti City, the country's capital, after the Iraqi invasion.

Others were used as so called "human shields" and were impounded at strategic positions such as power stations and military bases.

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