SWIMMING for his life after his ship was torpedoed is among the memories recorded in a book by a former petty officer from Ledbury.

Robert Cosh, 83, served in the Fleet Air Arm for many years before becoming a prison officer.

His book, Inside and Out, published on Monday (August 8), recalls many of his most memorable experiences.

As well as his escape from sinking HMS Eagle, Mr Cosh was eyewitness to the escape of train robber Ronald Biggs from Wandsworth Prison in 1965.

"Those two are probably the most memorable things but there are many more in the book," said Mr Cosh, who served in Egypt and the Mediterranean before demobilisation in 1946.

He started writing down his memories nearly 25 years ago, but was not persuaded to publish them until recently.

"I think of it as a serious but fun book," he said. "I enjoyed writing it and I'm very pleased with it."

Inside and Out, published by Woodfield, is available at £9.95 from Ledbury Books and Maps.