The journey from the killing fields of Nigeria's Biafran war to the peace and tranquillity of Malvern has been a long one for Ben Okafor.

But for the 47-year-old reggae star, who has just released his third album, he has finally found what he is looking for.

"If you like nice places, fantastic scenery and wonderful views, you can't find anywhere else in England like Malvern," said Ben.

Even his music has benefited by his move four years ago, to be closer to his daughters who are at school in the town.

"I go up on to the hills and sit there and by the time I come back I've got at least two new songs in my pocket," he said.

It was music that brought him solace during the Biafran war, when the eastern part of Nigeria sought its independence. Ben signed up to a special platoon of boy soldiers at the age of 14.

He said: "The only way to forget where I was, was to sit round with a bunch of people and just play songs."

On the day he was due to be sent to the front he was delayed by family problems and found his unit had left without him. Later he heard they had been captured and had their eyes gouged out.

"When you experience something like that, you think 'am I lucky' or 'did I let my friends down'?"

With his family living as refugees, he left Nigeria for the UK in 1979. After studying theology for a time, he has pursued his musical career.

His latest release on Plankton Records, Coffee With Lazarus, highlights his own soulful singing with 11 songs ranging from personal acoustic tunes to classic reggae. He starts touring the album in February in Denmark, Asia, Africa, the US and, hopefully, this country next summer.

And as for a hometown concert? "I would love to do a concert in Malvern. Malvern is my home."