A SERVICEMAN captured in Iran has told of his relief at being back home in Marske.

Royal Marine Chris Monan, 26, was one of eight British servicemen detained by Iranian forces in June after their three small patrol boats apparently strayed into Iranian territorial waters.

During their three-day ordeal, the men - who are all now back home - were blindfolded and subjected to a mock execution.

Marine Monan said: "It's good to be back. I'm glad to be at home with my family and able go out and enjoy a drink out with my brothers.

"It's really relaxing. I'm going back to work on August 2, but I'd rather not say whereabouts."

During their ordeal the Britons say they had had their weapons removed, were blindfolded with rags soaked in petrol and made to sit cross-legged against a wall.

They were questioned through an interpreter and told they would be tried as spies. The men say they were blindfolded, marched into a ditch, one hand on their head, the other on the shoulder of the man in front, and subjected to a ten-second silence, during which time they were sure they were going to be shot.

They were finally released after talks involving Foreign Secretary Jack Straw led to Iran accepting that the eight men had strayed into its territorial waters accidentally.