AN RAF squadron leader has written a book on his devastating battle with depression in a bid to help others.

In Ice on My Wings, John Farron MBE gives a humorous and sometimes heartbreaking account of how he fell into the depths of depression, struggled to understand his illness and how he made a gradual recovery.

The autobiography also includes a chapter on his son Andrew, who suffered serious head injuries when he was involved in a road accident as he cycled home from Chorley Sea Cadet unit in the mid-1980s.

Andrew remained in a coma for three months before being confined to a wheelchair.

In the chapter John, who now runs his own business development consultancy in Brinscall where he lives, remarks: "Three years later, free of his wheelchair, Andrew walked into the same children's ward of his own accord.

"Five years later he was to graduate from college with IT qualifications.

"Six years later he was to start work. Fifteen years later he was to look after me during the worst depression of my life."

John, 66, a squadron leader in the training branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, said: "Ice on your Wings is part of the friendly but competitive world of banter often used amongst military aircrew in meeting the challenges of their profession, remaining in high spirits and, above all, maintaining their sense of humour about the risky business of living and flying.

"Depression has overtaken heart disease as the world's number one illness.

"People who suffer from this terrible disease may find the book helpful in that it takes a very honest and practical approach to what is often held to be a taboo subject."

John combined his love of flying with a career in aeronautical engineering and project management with BAE Systems.

He is a qualified gliding instructor and holds a private pilot's licence.

Ice on my Wings was launched this week.