CREDITON Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, and Mayoress, Mrs Natalia Letch, recently welcomed a very special guest to their home.

Their guest was Ali Abbas, who was just 12 when he lost both his arms in a coalition missile attack in Baghdad in March 2003.

After treatment in Kuwait, Ali was brought to Britain, where he has remained since then, receiving free tuition at a school in London.

Ali quickly learned to speak English and to write and paint with his feet.

Four years ago Ali last met Frank Letch, who is a member of the charity, REACH, which assists those who have lost limbs.

Ali, now 17, has written and published a children's book, enjoys playing football and cycling.

He has achieved many things in life which other people take for granted, sharing many of the same experiences as Frank.

In the not too distant future, Ali intends to return to live in Baghdad and, in preparation, wanted to meet again with his friend, Frank, for further advice on leading a full and successful life.

Ali and his uncle, Mohammed Ali Sultani, were collected from St David's Station, Exeter, by Frank, who drove his guests, who were accompanied by a BBC One television film crew, to his Butt Parks, Crediton, home.

Frank said that he and Ali had some interesting discussions and they promised to keep in touch in the future.

The television programme, which is to include the Crediton visit and discussions, will be shown at a date as yet undecided.

Alan Quick