HAVING been shot at, risked life and limb in war-torn countries and witnessed poverty across the world, Kidderminster’s “Bindiana Jones” is pleasantly surprised to be celebrating his 70th birthday this week.

Intrepid globetrotter John McBride reaches the landmark age on Friday, January 23 and admitted that he was amazed that he had made it this far in his life.

Former bin man Mr McBride, who has been nicknamed Bindiana Jones and Mad Mac because of his exploits, spent around 30 years visiting 120 of the most dangerous countries in the world.

This includes trips to El Salvador, Israel, Lebanon and Jamaica where the shooting incident happened. He also got turned away at the Iraqi border during the Gulf War and witnessed voodoo being performed in a burial ground in Haiti.

But, despite taking a walk on the wild side as far as his travels are concerned, Mr McBride said the only injuries and ailments he has suffered have come in the last few years while at home.

He said: “Considering the places I have been in and the fact that I was even once shot at, I never expected to reach my 70th birthday. It feels very much like it is against the odds.

“I’ve seen violence in Syria and Lebanon, extreme poverty in Africa and witnessed suffering amongst the poor in India. I never even expected to make it home half the time.

“But I’ve only really suffered ill health in the last couple of years. I broke my leg after falling from my bed in Worcestershire Royal Hospital in 2013 and, last Easter, I discovered I had a blood clot on my lung which I’m still on medication for.

“I have to say, the NHS has been excellent. There aren’t many places in the world that can get medical support that I have received at home.”

Mr McBride joined the army in 1976, giving him his first taste of visiting “risky” countries after serving in Northern Ireland and India. But his desire for travelling to war-torn areas started in his youth.

He said: “When I was young, my Uncle Johnny used to tell me stories about when he was in the RAF during the war and I was fascinated. Also when I was at school I was bullied and I made a promise to myself that I would never live in fear again.

“I now have seven passports detailing everywhere I have been and five photo albums full of pictures but it’s the countless memories I can relive that are really precious.”

Despite his current ill health and advancing years, Mr McBride, who hopes someone will write a book on his adventures, still wants to add more chapters to his story.

He added: “At the moment, I’m still on medication but once I’m off that I will probably be back on my travels in a couple of years’ time!”