Inside Out East - 08/11/2010

Over 50 and out of work - George Cespedes was forced out of his home in Basildon shortly after losing his job as a delivery driver. With no income he couldn't afford to keep up his mortgage payments. He's not alone. Latest government figures show that over 50s men are finding it harder to get back to work than any other group, including women of the same age. If you're over 50 and a man, you're ten times more likely to still be out of work after a year than be back in a job. 53-year-old George has tried hard to find other work, but he hasn't had a single interview. One answer for people is to start their own business. The charity Prime Initiative provide practical help and support for those willing to go it alone. Basildon 54-year-old Tony Palmer also found himself on the employment scrap heap after losing his job as a scientific instrument repairer two years ago. After getting nowhere finding a new job, Tony decided to take a huge risk. He cashed in his pension and with help from the Prime Initiative set up his own engraving business. It cost him around 12,000 pounds to buy all the equipment. It's still early days but he hopes the risk will prove worth while. Secret War - Wing Commander Leonard Ratcliff is one of a kind. Now aged 91, he's the last surviving squadron leader who led secret wartime missions to drop Special Operations Executive agents into occupied Europe. Operating from RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire and under cover of darkness, he took part in more than 70 operations behind enemy lines. Often he'd pilot bombers deep into Germany, parachuting in saboteurs. On other occasions he'd fly single-seat aircraft into France, navigating by moonlight to meet members of the French Resistance. The risks were huge. His squadron were wiped out three times during the war, 600 people lost or injured out of a staff of 200. Today he stands alone. Sharp as a knife and still actively involved in Essex life where he actively campaigns for local hospitals. Many missions were flown in the Lysander, a rare example of which is kept at the Shuttleworth collection in Bedfordshire. Inside Out took Leonard back for one last chance to see the plane fly again. And now Leonard has been honoured by the French who have invited him to help dedicate a new museum set up to honour the Resistance and those that aided their battle against the Nazis. Inside Out went with him on his moving journey.