TEL AVIV, July 7 (Reuters) - Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist held hostage for nearly four months in the Gaza Strip, flew home to Britain on Saturday, three days after being freed, a source at Israel's main international airport said.

Johnston, who turned 45 while being held by Palestinian militants from the shadowy, al Qaeda-inspired Army of Islam, has said he expects to spend time with his family in Scotland.

He was freed on Wednesday after Hamas Islamists who seized control of the enclave a month ago detained relatives of the group holding him and released them in return for the hostage.

He described his captivity as like being "buried alive" but thanked Palestinians, colleagues and well-wishers around the world for messages of support he was able to hear on a radio.

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