A NEW book by a North Yorkshire man tells the story of a courageous Second World War gunner.

Author Philip Turner, of Topcliffe, recounts the experiences of Allen Clifford, now 81, in his book, One of Butch's Boys.

Mr Clifford, of Aldborough St John, near Richmond, was a member of a squadron commanded by the famous Bomber Harris.

Mr Turner said: "Mr Clifford is a remarkable chap with a real story to tell, having survived 22 operations in bomber command, baling out, being captured and escaping from a PoW camp."

Mr Clifford was imprisoned in what was formely East Prussia. When the Russians arrived from the Eastern front, he was forced to march 100 miles and ended up being imprisoned in Berlin.

After cutting a hole in the prison camp's fence, he escaped but was caught ten minutes later.

Undeterred, he tried again, and was picked up by an American truck at the River Elbe crossing. Five days later, he was back home.

"It's a stirring tale," said Mr Turner, who has worked as a supply teacher in Richmond and Bedale and used to run a bookshop in Thirsk.

The book is Mr Turner's third publication.