A PEACE activist has been kidnapped by a resistance movement in war-ravaged Iraq - then released without harm.

Jo Wilding was in Fallujah when she was captured by the Mujahedeen on Wednesday, along with six or seven other foreign workers.

The Worcester 29-year-old was freed 24 hours later, before her family even realised what had happened.

Her mother, Anne Wilding, only found out when she spoke to her daughter at 7.30pm yesterday.

The law student was captured when helping injured Iraqis and was released a day later. Clerics picked the group up and escorted them to Baghdad.

She told her mother her captors said she would be released several hours earlier, but had feared the group would not be safe until it was light.

She and the other hostages had been treated well and only felt nervous when one kidnapper told her his family had been killed in the conflict.

She has been in Iraq since November, helping displaced people and documenting the war.

Mrs Wilding, of Talavera Road, Norton, said she was "laughing as usual" and described her armed captors "very sweet".

The incident came after a spate of kidnapping, including the murder of an Italian hostage.

Miss Wilding said American soldiers shot at her last weekend, when she attended to a pregnant woman in Fallujah.

She has also helped entertain youngsters with a travelling circus, and helped to build a schoolroom and sewerage system.

She originally intended to stay for a further 10 weeks.

"Jo's not attached to any organisation, so there's no one to contact us in a situation like this," said Mrs Wilding.

"We receive e-mails every couple of days. As long as we get those, we know she's OK, but this was over before I knew it had even started. She's been released now, so there's nothing to be upset about."

Despite the ordeal, Mrs Wilding doubted whether her daughter's experience had made her question her position.

"I'll be very surprised if she changes her mind and comes back. I trust her judgement but will be glad to see her when she gets home."