Stirring tale of war vet

The experiences of a Hartlepool Second World War veteran captured at Dunkirk has proved the inspiration for a new book.

- Mark Payne

Eric Priest, from West Hartlepool, features in The Seaforth Highlanders: Aiding the King, 1881-1961 by military historian Paul Chrystal.

Paul has a personal connection to Eric, being his nephew, and was inspired to write the book after Eric's granddaughters presented Paul with a suitcase full of personal letters, photographs, postcards and telegrams.

"I thought 'there's certainly a book there'", said Paul, 70, who has written approximately 200 books since he retired.