A GREAT Escape event – inspired by Prisoners of War – had a rather unexpected twist as one of the entrants proved to be related to one of the original men who fled.

Jez Grisman, of Ross, did a Dangerous Day Out which is inspired by the determination of airmen who escaped through a tunnel from their POW camp deep in occupied Poland.

He said: "Within a few days, all but three of the escapees were recaptured. Many were caught out by incorrect papers, bad weather and bad luck. The mass breakout infuriated Hitler so much that he ordered 50 of them to be shot. One of them was Hereford-native, William Grisman who was my grandfather's cousin."

Now 71 years later, Grisman had the chance to honour his memory by doing a Great Escape of his own.

The adventure, which was created by former Paratrooper Joel Whittaker, involves participants 'breaking out' from a POW camp, rendezvous with friendly agents to complete a mission behind enemy lines, avoid the hunter pack and zip line to freedom.

Jez added: "It was strange doing the scenario, going through the tunnel. It makes you think. It is quite amazing what they had to go through."

The event does not just honour past British heroes but modern ones too including former serviceman, Matt Lyons who served in the Royal Navy for 26 years and suffers with post traumatic stress disorder.

Joel said: "Some of our agents have been injured while serving our country. They have a lot to contribute and it is important to recognise their often untapped skill set such as planning and problem-solving as well as real life experience."

For Jez the events are an inventive way to keep the great escapers' memory alive.

"It is nice to keep remembering what happened decades ago, because they changed the world for us," Jez added.