Bangladesh was fighting for independence, Maggie Thatcher (then Education Secretary) had just announced the end of free milk in schools, and Middle Of The Road were number one in the UK charts with Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, when I arrived into the world (with incredible style) shortly before mid-day on Wednesday, 16th June 1971, at Marston Green Maternity Hospital, Solihull.

The eldest child of Mike and Sandie, I have one sister, Sharon-Marie, who is 15 months younger than I. We have a large extended family, particularly as my Mum's Mum is one of sixteen children!

I attended Oak Cottage Primary School and, from the age of 10, Solihull Public School. I had quite a poorly childhood, as problems with my hearing and sense of balance were not identified as allergic rhinitis until I was 14. By then I'd had my tonsils and adenoids out. I also developed asthma and short-sightedness!

I lived my formative years in Solihull (near Kineton Green) and then when I was 13 we moved to Knowle. When I was 15 I became a Christian and started attending Knowle Parish Church. The following year my parents moved to Hockley Heath (where they still live) and I joined Umberslade Baptist Church where I was baptised.

In my teens I developed a passion for flight. I was fascinated by the history of aviation and, particularly, military aircraft. I spent five years in the Royal Air Force as a cadet and qualified for a British Gliders Association 'A' licence. However, my poor eyesight and asthma meant I couldn't realise any ambition to fly jets.

After A-levels I went straight off to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth to study Law. I was disappointed with a 2.2 so stayed on to complete a Masters in Business Law. After four and a half years in Mae hen wlad fy Nhadau I left for the College of Law, Chester where I completed my Legal Practice Diploma. In spite of all these legal qualifications, in the end I never practised!

In 1995 I returned home, started working for Transco and resumed attending Knowle Church. In 1998 I began my involvement with youth ministry and later that year started my own IT consultancy, which was very successful and enabled me to move out the following year to my cosy bachelor pad in Dorridge, where I now reside!

In 2002 I moved to a non-conformist church in Shirley called Solihull Christian Fellowship, which is where I still worship. In 2007 I suspended my consultancy to take a sabbatical. I am now studying for an MA in History at the University of Warwick and exploring the possibility of teaching.