The boy from the backstreets of Belfast

A former Lord Mayor of Belfast is speaking in Port Erin this weekend about how he turned his life around from an unpromising start.

With dyslexia and little education, Reverend Eric Smyth was told at a young age he wouldn't amount to anything.

However, after finding religion he went on to become Lord Mayor of the city and, in that role, met former president of the United States Bill Clinton, and was awarded an OBE for his charity work.

Reverend Smyth told Manx Radio about his life (listen to audio file below):

Reverend Eric Smyth will speak at Port Erin Gospel Church at 7pm on Sunday (January 22).