A FORMER Naval officer who kept his sexuality a secret for fear of persecution has spoken of his experiences for a major new exhibition.

Keith Best, from Deane, is one of 12 people who came forward to contribute to Military Pride, a project that traces the experiences of lesbian and gay people within the context of conflict, war and military service.

Mr Best, who joined the Royal Navy in 1967 aged 17, was the first person interviewed for the exhibition, which is being held at the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester.

The former Petty Officer, of Presto Gardens, served all over the world, including trips aboard aircraft carriers to America, the Caribbean and South Africa.

He left the forces in 1982, just before the Falklands Campaign began and seven years before he came out as a homosexual, aged 39.

The 58-year-old said: “Things have progressed now. It’s been accepted a lot more. Gay people are allowed to apply to join the armed forces. When I joined it was punishable by death.

“You felt like people were looking at you as though there was something strange about you. It was hard.”

Mr Best, who is retired and lives with his partner, contacted the Imperial War Museum in response to their public call for stories.

Military Pride details changes in historical and cultural context and a timeline of post-1945 gay legislation and policies within the Armed Forces and is timed to connect with the Manchester Pride Festival this month.

The project will have a permanent legacy as the histories collected will form part of the museum's collections for future generations and it is hoped that the display will also tour.

The free exhibition is on display at The WaterWay, Imperial War Museum North, until October 12.