THE wartime experiences of a former SAS soldier from Preston have been captured in text.

David Danger, 81, of Fulwood, is just one of 60 SAS soldiers whose exploits are depicted in Gavin Mortimer's new book, Stirling's Men: the inside history of the SAS.

As a wireless operator in the regiment, Acting Sergeant Danger cheated death on a daily basis as he battled through forests in the Le Morven region of France, near Dijon, during the Second World War.

He said: "I saw a lot of horrible things and lost a lot of my friends.

"But it was important to carry on. I had to make sure that air supplies were guided in and that we rescued any pilots who had to evacuate their planes in an emergency."

Mr Danger, who was in the SAS from 1942 to 1945, was most at risk as Hitler ordered snipers to kill the radio operators first so that communication was cut.

But bravery has always been a key part of the pensioner's personality.

He said: "There was a man with a family who'd been called up so I volunteered to go in his place.

"When they asked for volunteers to parachute into the forests in France there were eight who came forward but once we found out what it would involve just two of us decided to go."

Mr Danger, who spent five years locating the graves of his friends in Le Morven, said: "The camaraderie kept you going. We all looked after each other.

"I went back for the 60th anniversary which was upsetting but it's probably the last time I'll be able to do it."

Mr Mortimer said: "David is one of the few operators who survived after Hitler put out an order to capture, torture and kill them.

"He's an incredible man."