A LEDBURY army cadet had his chance to meet his SAS hero – one of the daredevil soldiers who stormed the Iranian Embassy in London, more than three decades ago.

Peter Winner was ‘Soldier I’ when he undertook one of the most of the most daring and successful raids in SAS history – tackling armed terrorists and freeing hostages in May 1980, while the world’s media looked on.

Millions of people across the world saw the team blast open a window and rescue 24 hostages.

John Masefield High School pupil Joe Kirkwood, aged 14, was one of a number of Hereford and Worcester Army Cadets to hear a talk by Mr Winner at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre and afterwards he got the chance to discuss the mission with the man himself.

His mum, Ros said: "They talked for about 20 minutes, and I think that Joe was a little in awe, because he loves tactics and logistics, and he was fascinated by the planning and execution of the mission."

Joe’s grandfather, Len Huff was a marine, and he wants to keep the family’s army tradition going by eventually becoming an officer with the Logistics Corps.

His mother, who is a volunteer helper with the Ledbury Army Cadets, is in no doubt as to the benefits of being a cadet.

She said: “Joe polishes his boots and packs his own things for weeks away.

“Even if he doesn't join the Army, being a cadet has taught him valuable life skills.”

Like most Ledbury cadets, Joe joined the cadets at the aged of 12 and he looks forward to the weekly meetings, which take place every Monday from 7pm, at the Cadet Hut off the Little Marcle Road.

Mrs Kirkwood said: “He was desperate to join after seeing his friends in uniform during a Remembrance Day Parade."

SAS legend John McAleese, from Hereford, who led the dramatic 1980 raid of the Iranian embassy in London, died two years ago.