An inspirational mum from Lancaster has told how she fled her war-torn country for a new life of freedom.
Yllka Thompson escaped Albania during a civil war and has built a new life for herself in England.
Yllka experienced a traumatic childhood in Albania, growing up under the strict communist regime of the Cold War era.
She decided to flee to save the lives of her young children, then aged four and nine, enduring a harrowing journey from country to country before reaching the UK.
Her new book 'Unbroken Soul' tells her true story and has been described as "a tale of danger, trafficking, violence and escape, but also about finding the inner strength to survive and thrive".
Five-star reviews on Amazon have called it "a wonderful story of a fantastic and strong woman" and one reviewer said "I hope they will make this book into a film".
Yllka now lives in Lancaster with her husband Neil and works at Boots in the city centre.
Her first book signing will take place at WH Smith on Market Street this Saturday (November 25) at 10am.
Ahead of the signing, she visited the Beyond Radio studio to talk about the book and her incredible life story.
LISTEN to Yllka's interview
In the interview, Yllka talks about her childhood in Albania, her harrowing escape, her new life in Lancaster, returning to a very different Albania in recent times, her thoughts on the reception to her book, and her views on media coverage of refugees.
'Unbroken Soul: An Albanian Girl's Escape from Terror to Freedom' is available online and you can also get copies at the book signing on Saturday.


MP hopes for improved mobile signal at last as new mast installed in Lancaster
Maternity services at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary officially exit national special measures
Crews tackle kitchen fire in Lancaster
Opening date announced for animal rescue charity's new Morecambe home
Lancaster MP takes on Morecambe 10K in aid of new children's playground
Tributes paid to twice-Lancaster mayor who served on council for 56 years
Dancing Eric Morecambe Statue part of police campaign to warn about AI deepfakes
PHOTOS: Great Wall of China trek raises more than £300K for Lancaster hospice
Another earthquake hits Silverdale as tremors felt across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
Fire crews tackle vehicle fire on M6 near Lancaster
Poetry in motion as live workshop comes to Morecambe rail journey
Lancaster pupils highlight school crossing patrol road safety campaign
UK wide lettings agency takes over Lancaster student housing firm
Morecambe live music bar gets change of name
Firefighters put out large vehicle fire in Lancaster
Latest national rankings place Lancaster University third in north west
Work on new housing on Lancaster city centre car park continues
Lancaster District residents thanked for embracing food waste recycling
Police probe after spate of vehicle break-ins in Halton
LISTEN: Kindness has been overwhelming after Carnforth man's horrific swimming pool accident

