THE former fiancee of Beirut hostage John McCarthy is to talk in Kent for the first time about her five-year campaign to secure his release.

Jill Morrell will be detailing her experiences at Business Link Kent’s 'Women in Business breakfast special' on Friday, November 25 at Eastwell Manor, Ashford.

Her campaign to get Mr McCarthy and fellow hostages freed from the Lebanon inspired the nation.

Mr McCarthy, a TV journalist, was kidnapped on April 17, 1986 on his way to catch a flight home from Beirut. Instead, he spent the next five years in captivity.

Back at home in England, Jill Morrell formed the Friends of John McCarthy and worked ceaselessly on behalf of all the hostages in the Middle East and keeping John McCarthy’s name alive.

Jill and John were reunited in August 1991 but the pressure of their enforced separation ultimately led to the breakdown of their relationship.

Broadcaster and writer Barbara Sturgeon will be chairing the event and taking questions from the audience.

* Tickets for the Women in Business breakfast, which runs from 8.30am to 10.30am, cost £17.50 plus VAT. You can book online at www.eventskent.co.uk by e-mail to events@businesslinkkent.com or call 01732 878555.