A TEACHER at Priestley College has helped to preserve the memory of the secret heroes who fought in the Second World War.

Debbey Clitheroe was invited to host Princess Anne at a memorial event in Valençay, remembering the secret agents whose missions were kept from the public.

The production arts tutor at the Latchford-based college took part in a BBC Two programme last year entitled Secret Agent Selection: WW2.

It was based upon the selection process used to recruit the secretive Special Operations Executives (SOEs), agents trained to go behind enemy lines and disrupt the German army without causing suspicion.

Debbey, along with 13 other recruits, underwent a physical and mental training programme which has spent more than 60 years a secret.

The 48-year-old said: "Until I went in the programme I didn't know about SOEs.

"They didn't tell us what the training was because in the 1940s they couldn't tell them- we didn't have a clue.

"It was the hardest thing I have done but the greatest thing I have ever done."

SOEs could be men or women and they would often parachute with clandestine radio transmitters disguised to look like ordinary suitcases.

They also had specially designed explosives, silenced guns and forged papers and risked torture by German Gestapo operatives trying to extract information.

After her appearance in the television show, Debbey was invited to attend a ceremony remembering the lives of those who fought in secret.

The event was a collaboration between the Special Forces Club in London, a private members club for veterans, and the Libre Resistance, which works to preserve the memory of SOEs.

Debbey travelled to Valençay and hosted Princess Anne at the memorial ceremony.

She said: "We have all kinds of remembrance days but there is nothing really for the agents who worked behind the lines.

"The SOE did amazing things but people don't know about it because they were so secret.

"Princess Anne was over at the event and I was asked if I would host the group to her- she was so lovely.

"It's really important that we are remembering SOEs because it's all because of these special agents, which no one knows about, that we are where we are now.

"There were people there who were family, war veterans and lots of historians- it was a beautiful event and very emotional."

Debbey is keen to teach her students at Priestley College about the sacrifices SOEs made for their country and says it is important to keep their memory alive.