A WEARY but jubilant Jackie Mann stepped onto the runway at RAF Lyneham in September 1991, savouring his freedom after being held for 865 days by terrorist kidnappers in Syria.

Jackie, who was a pilot working in Beirut for Middle East Airlines, was taken hostage in the city in May 1989 by an Islamic terrorist organisation linked to Hezbollah.

Accompanied by his wife Sunnie, Mr Mann looked frail and haggard, but as he was led down the VC10’s steps he still managed a smile for the cheering crowds.

As a tribute to the 77-yearold Second World War fighter pilot, a Battle of Britain memorial Spitfire flew overhead on his arrival at the Wiltshire airbase.

“It’s the most wonderful day of my life,” said Sunnie, as she addressed the assembled media with her husband by her side.

A senior RAF medical officer who had accompanied Mr Mann from Syria described him as being in ‘good shape’.

“We’ll look after him all the time he’s at Lyneham,” said Squadron Leader Alan Hardy.

RAF Lyneham was no stranger to welcoming back rescued hostages as the world’s press had converged there just a month previously when journalist John McCarthy, who had been a hostage with Jackie, returned home from Lebanon