A FORMER Kung Fu world champion and author of best-selling book Taming The Tiger will visit Redditch for an action-packed weekend this month.

Tony Anthony will be guest of honour at a host of events across Redditch and Alcester.

Mr Anthony's story, which is subtitled From the Depths of Hell to the Heights of Glory, began when he was sent to China as a child to become a Kung Fu disciple, spending eight hours a day following a brutal training regime overseen by the Grand Master, his grandfather.

He eventually became a Kung Fu expert and elite bodyguard, protecting some of the world's most powerful people, also winning the world Kung Fu championships three times.

Personal tragedy altered Tony's sense of extreme discipline and he started using his skills for illegal means, becoming embroiled in violence and death.

He was incarcerated in the notorious Nicosia Central Prison but, after meeting a stranger, Tony's life took a massive turn and he discovered religion.

Event organiser Phil Williams said: "We've invited Tony Anthony to speak at a range of events because we believe the message of Tony's life is so powerful, we'd love Redditch people to have the opportunity to hear it."

On Friday, January 27, he will visit schools throughout Redditch and Alcester followed by an appearance at Crawford Memorial Hall, Bidford, at 7.30pm.

For more details, call Neil Dunlop on 01789 772615.

The following day he will be at the Foxlydiate Hotel, Webheath, for a Men's Breakfast from 7.45am. Tickets cost £6. For details, call Paul Nash on 857649.

And from 7.30pm that evening, he will be at the "LIFTED" Youth Event at Christ Church Matchborough.

For details, call Phil Williams on 460400.

On the Sunday he will discuss his life story in the Kingfisher Centre's Royal Square from 11am.