A FORMER paramilitary who spent 10 years in the Maze prison was welcomed into a church to help spread the word of God.

Billie McCurrie was one of a number of people who took part in an outreach week at the Peel Street Baptist Church, in Accrington.

He discovered God while inside the Maze and since being released in 1985, he has travelled the length and breadth of the country talking about his discovery.

The former Loyalist was locked up at the beginning of 1976 after being found guilty of being involved in paramilitary activities during Northern Ireland's darkest days.

Billie said: "I feel very lucky to have found God. I had been inside the Maze prison for five years when, on one Christmas Eve, I was listening to the prison chaplain read Luke Chapter 23 and it suddenly struck me.

"I had always managed to justify my actions to other people but then I realised it wasn't them I had to justify myself to, it was God.

"From then, I realised the error in my actions and changed. Since my release, I have become a pastor and feel it is the least I can do to come to places like Accrington and tell my story."

Billie's story mirrors that of fellow former terrorist Billy McFetridge, who become a clergyman after also discovering God in the Maze.

He became former Great Harwood man Peter Fell's staunchest supporter as he tried to quash a double murder conviction against him.

Billie added: "I will be straying in contact with the people here in Accrington to see if my visit has done any good. I don't expect to be the reason people find God, just a link in the chain."

Billie was one of several inspirational people invited to talk at Peel Street as part of the church's first Outreach week. Among the other people appearing was Dr Sara Webster, who contracted meningitis at the age of 18, rendering her disabled. Her faith, she says, encouraged her not to give up.

Paul Higson, a deacon at Peel Street, said: "We hope people will be inspired by the real stories which have been told this week. These people are examples of how good can come from the darkest situations."