THE Guardian chief investigative reporter Ian Cobain will be the special guest at the inaugural event of a new Wiltshire-based supporters group for medical charity Freedom from Torture.

The Salisbury supporters group was founded in January by Revd Nicholas Mercer and its first event will take place at South Canonry in the Cathedral close by kind permission of Bishop Nicholas Holtam and his wife Helen.

Cobain, best known for his investigations into torture perpetrated by agents of the UK government, most recently during the war on terror, will talk about Britain’s involvement in torture since 1944. Members of the public are welcome to come along and join the discussion.

The event will take place on Thursday at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from freedomfromtorture.org/iancobain or by contacting Revd Mercer 01747 824277 or at mercer-family@hotmail.com, or Joanna Nicholson 01722 239411 or joannanicholson@talktalk.net.