A TORTURED Gulf War pilot whose plight shocked the nation when he was paraded battered and bruised on television is using his experience in a thriving stress management business.

John Peters, who was beaten and starved under the orders of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein after his Tornado fighter was shot down, is helping businessmen handle the pressures of modern day industry from his Mamble home. A symbol of survival: Former RAF fighter pilot John Peters relaxes at home with wife Helen, daughter

Toni and son Guy.

The 39-year-old former RAF pilot, who modestly refuses praise for his bravery and remarkably does not suffer nightmare recollections of the traumatic time, is delighted with the early success of UPH Ltd.

Mr Peters, who moved with his family to Mamble last August, runs the company from home in partnership with close friends Martyn Helliwell and former England rugby union player Rory Underwood. He believes a variety of techniques can ease the strains of today's hectic working schedule.

He said: "We offer advice, in particularly to managers, on how to deal with customers, staff and anybody else who may be causing difficulties, but we don't just deal with stress management.

"We also offer ideas on how to approach problems differently, and how to balance home life, social life and working responsibilities. We take office managers and staff on various team-building trips which helps build spirits in leadership, communication and development."

The happier times he now enjoys with his wife Helen, 38, and children Guy, 12, and Toni, 10, are a long way from the desperate situation he endured little more than 10 years ago when he barely survived the horrific seven-week Iraqi interrogation.

"People tell me I'm very strong and courageous, but that's not right because I'm not very big and I was extremely scared at the time," said London-born Mr Peters, who moved to Petersfield near Portsmouth aged five.

"I have my tale to tell from when I thought I was going to die and I can share that experience with others and describe the emotions which rushed through me.

"But I never say to people, 'look at me', we simply discuss their difficulties."

Horrific images of the flight lieutenant's battered and bruised face were screened during his time in captivity, where each morning he was woken with either a kick or a whack around the head with a pistol.

Mr Peters, who was shot down with navigator John Nichol during the first daylight raid of the war after their Tornado was hit by a surface-to-air missile, also had a gun pointed at his head and was told he would never see his wife and children again.

However, the man, who left the armed forces in July last year, is keen to look to the future and is grateful for his time in the RAF.

He said: "The training we were given helps you to react quickly in a difficult or stressful situation and I was also able to learn a great deal from dozens of business functions I spoke at after the war and by completing a Masters in Business Administration at Leicester University."