“I don't believe in revenge” – says former hostage Terry Waite, who was held in captivity for nearly five years by a Lebanese terrorist group.

He’s a man who made headlines all around the world after being kidnapped in 1987, however, he admits there are many people who don’t know his story.

“It’s been 25 years since I was released from captivity and 30 years since I was captured. A whole generation have been born who won’t know my story” he said.

Mr Waite was kept hostage by Hezbollah militants in Beirut, after it was believed he was working with US intelligence.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Dorchester next Wednesday, he said: “We live in a world where there is so much discontent, so much aggression. We can’t listen or watch the news without there being reports of trouble or conflict.

“But there’s not a great deal about reconciliation and compassion, fulfilment or understanding. We need more of that. I want to speak about my own experiences working in different parts of the world, being captured and held hostage.”

Despite his traumatic experiences, he was able to find forgiveness and reconciliation.

Years after his release, Mr Waite, returned to Lebanon to reconcile with his captors and rest the ghosts of his past.

He said: “I don’t believe in revenge, that does no good to anyone.

“One thing I’ve been involved with is restorative justice. It’s when someone has committed a crime, for example they’ve burgled someone, and they meet with the victim. They can see for themselves the devastating effect it’s had on the victim of the crime. Both parties need to be willing to do this.

“It’s about making something constructive out of a deconstructive situation. A lot of police forces around the UK have been pushing this and Thames Valley are somewhat of a leader in this field.”

Now 79-years-old, Mr Waite is keen to continue his humanitarian work and educate others about his experience.

He said: “I don’t believe in giving up. If you keep your brain active you can keep going for a long time.”

He added that whilst held in captivity, he was able to keep something which his captors could not take.

He said: “You have the power to break my body, you have the power to bend my mind, but my soul is not yours to possess. You can never capture someone completely, there’s part of them that lies with god.”

An evening with Terry Waite will take place at St Peter's Church on Wednesday, November 14 at 7pm. He will be signing his books Taken on Trust and Out of the Silence and Solitude. There will also be a Q and A with Mr Waite.

For more information including ticket prices, contact Paul Vittle by emailing paulvittleweymouth@gmail.com or calling 01305 771182.