GULF War hero John Peters will be the guest speaker at the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club event next month.

John, an RAF Flight Lieutenant, was shot down over Iraqi territory on the first day of the Gulf War in 1991 when a daylight bombing raid over southern Iraq went horrifically wrong.

He and his partner, navigator John Nicol, were hit by a surface to air missile and both men were captured by the Iraqi military.

They were subjected to a seven week ordeal of torture and interrogation before being forced to appear on Iraqi television.

At the Sporting and Dining Club event John will talk about his experiences of Operation Desert Storm and how he coped with the physical and mental pressure inflicted on him during his captivity.

John Wannenburgh of the Sporting and Dining Club said: "The event with John Peters in April promises to be an extraordinary one particularly given the added poignancy that recently, on January 19, it was the 20th anniversary of the first Gulf War.

"His dramatic story will undoubtedly be an inspirational one. His innate sense of humour and superb timing, however, will ensure the audience sees the funny and lighter side of his experience too."

John has written two best selling books about his ordeal and his documentary Tornado Down was named Independent Documentary of the Year and received a BAFTA award nomination in 1992.

Since leaving the RAF he has established a management development company, UPH Ltd, whose clients include the NHS and The Cabinet Office.

The event takes place on Thursday, April 28, at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club in Santon. For tickets contact John Wannenburgh on 07624 495749. Tickets cost £60 for members and £70 for non-members.