The former head of the Army who has said the Government must consider sending ground troops into Iraq and Syria to fight IS is to give a talk in Ewell next week.

General Lord Dannatt will be speaking about his life at the free annual event at St Mary’s Church.

He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 2006, a post he held for three years during which time he spoke out in favour of better pay and conditions for soldiers and for a drawdown of operations in Iraq to bolster efforts in Afghanistan.

He had a glittering military career which saw him win an MC during the troubles in Northern Ireland before suffering a major stroke in 1977.

He was persuaded to stay in uniform and went on to command his regiment, the Green Howards, before being promoted to command the Army.

A committed Christian throughout his life, the 64-year-old is currently Constable of the Tower of London, where a cascade of poppies marked the centenary of World War One last year.

He has also been Vice-President of the Armed Forces’ Christian Union since 1998 and President of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association since 1999.

Writing in the Daily Mail newspaper last weekend, Lord Dannatt said the Government must "think the previously unthinkable" and consider putting boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria.

He said: "We have now reached a point when we must think the previously unthinkable and consider that British troops, acting as part of an international coalition, may be required to mount a ground campaign in Iraq and Syria.

"I am no gung-ho general who says 'just send the boys in and don't worry about the body bags', far from it, but faced with such a lethal and uncompromising enemy as IS - and with the lack of political and diplomatic solutions at our disposal - we can no longer rule out 'boots on the ground.

"What I am calling for today is for a public and political debate to begin immediately."

Reverend Russell Dewhurst, vicar at St Mary’s Chuch, said he is sure Lord Dannatt’s lecture at St Mary’s will be very popular.

He added: "We are extremely fortunate that such a well-known and respected figure as Lord Dannatt has agreed to come and give St Mary’s annual lecture this year.

"The very large attendances at our Remembrance Sunday services show how many people value the opportunity to reflect on the issues around war and the armed forces in a Christian context."

Leading from the Front - the title of Lord Dannatt's autobiography - is the second annual St Mary's lecture and will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, June 10, at St Mary's Church, London Road, KT17 2AY, in Ewell.

For more information visit www.stmarysewell.com or call 020 8393 2643.