Kidnapped Austrian girl Natascha Kampusch has told for the first what it was like to be kept prisoner for eight years, saying that she was sorry her captor was dead and does not feel she missed out on life.

In a letter read out today by her psychiatrist, Professor Max Friedrich, she said that there were positive sides to her captivity: "I know my youth was different but don’t feel I missed anything. I didn’t start smoking and I didn’t meet the wrong friends."

She described how she had eaten breakfast every day with her kidnapper, Wolfgang Priklopil, who she described as someone who would alternately beat her and then be nice.

She said: "He would, so to speak, sometimes be my support and sometimes be the person who kicked me."

She said she had done the house work and cooked, and was able to pass the time and ward off the loneliness with reading and watching the television.

Speaking about Priklopil, 44, who killed himself under a train, she said she was sorry he was dead and added: "In my eyes, his death was not necessary. He has been a big part of my life, and as a result I do feel I am in a sort of mourning for him."

She went on: "I realised quite clearly what a strong impression the news of my captivity has made on people, but I ask for understanding in satisfying the tremendous interest of the public.

"I realise how shocking and worrying the thoughts about my time in my prison must be. I also realise there is a certain amount of curiosity at the same time. But at the same time I don't want to answer any details about intimate personal matters, and am prepared to take legal action to protect my privacy.

"Everybody wants to ask intimate questions, but these have nothing to do with anybody else. It may be that one day I speak to my therapist about it and maybe not."

Ms Kampusch's comments come as it was revealed she would be entitled to 664,900 (£450,552) euros in compensation from the Austrian criminal injuries compensation board for her eight and a half years in captivity.

In addition all the costs for her medical care including the team of psychiatrists who are working round-the-clock to help her get back to normal life are all being paid by the city of Vienna.

A special house where she can begin to live a normal life is also being planned by the medical team responsible for her care, who are expecting to remain on duty full-time for at least the next 12 months.

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