FORMER Sunday Express journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was seized by the Taliban during the war in Afghanistan, was in Southampton on Sunday.

Ms Ridley, who has since converted to Islam, gave a talk about her experiences at an event staged by the city's Muslim Council to raise awareness about the faith among the city's other religious groups.

Leading newspaper figures from the Muslim world were also at the event, which was held at Medina Mosque in Compton Walk.

Executive member for the city's Muslim Council Arshad Sharif said: "Since the 9/11 attacks, there has been a real breakdown between the Muslim community and the wider community.

"We invited non-Muslims to the event to explain what Islam is about."