NAVY girl Emma Blower is back home from war in the Gulf -- but the conflict has not put her off her role in the services.

She is already looking forward to getting back to her life on the ocean wave.

Emma, a steward on the Royal Navy's flagship Ark Royal, was stationed in the Gulf for five months.

The Farnworth teenager celebrated her 19th birthday on board the vessel on March 20 -- the first day of the war.

The Ark Royal was put on war footing after the first Tomahawk missiles were fired from an American ship.

Emma, of Dove Walk, said: "It was around one in the morning. The ships alarms were sounded, which means everyone must take their action stations.

"I'm a member of the first aid team on the ship. We had to wear white action overalls over our uniforms, and then put on anti-flash gear, which is basically a hood and gloves, in case we were hit after the missiles had been fired."

Emma revealed that she had also acted as steward for some of the helicopter crew who did not return from the conflict.

Seven crew members died in a collision between two Sea King helicopters. One of the helicopters was refuelling on board the Ark Royal, while the second was returning from a mission.

Emma said the deaths of the pilots changed life on the ship.

"I had never known the ship so quiet. It was very tense."

But Emma said she never feared for her safety in the war. She said: "We heard of threats against the ship, but we were in no danger as such, although we were often in zones where we could have been hit." During the war, communication with her family back home in Bolton was limited because of security factors.

But Emma said her experience in the war has not put her off life in the Navy.

"There was a time I thought about leaving," she said. "I was feeling down and tired, but I got through it."

It was not the first time Emma had been abroad with the Navy, but the Gulf stay of 126 days was the longest she had been away.

She will return to work next Sunday when the ship will be stationed in Portsmouth before sailing to Newcastle, Dublin and Copenhagen.

Emma said she would be glad to get back into her routine.

She said: "I am happy to be home and glad to see my family -- but I'm not used to doing nothing all day!"

"After they were killed, everyone became much more eager to return home."

"This warning remained until six in the morning. Then there were sightings of a mine shortly after, and we all had to be above water level as the ship was on mine threat. Everything was happening fast."

The Government and Prime Minister Tony Blair were criticised for not providing any sort of welcome for returning forces.

But Emma, who arrived at Portsmouth to thousands of celebrating family and friends of crew members, said: "I wouldn't have even noticed if Tony Blair himself was there, I just wanted to see my family. It never bothered me."