An undercover journalist from Cobham has produced a new book explaining how he helped uncover severe neglect and cruelty in eastern Europe.

BBC reporter and former Newsround presenter Chris Rogers teamed up with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to launch a new book called Undercover.

The book is based on his reports into the horrific conditions of neglect and cruelty within orphanages in Turkey and Romania, which was admitted into the European Union in 2006.

Mr Rogers said writing the semi-autobiographical book was “like therapy” and admitted his work has taken a toll on his personal life.

He said: “I’ve been shot at in war zones, and I’ve had to go into hiding. It is very difficult to settle into normal life and I can’t go down the pub with my friends and talk about the things I’ve been through.

“The after-effects of exposing a government can be pretty overwhelming. I have had to live in a safe house, face extradition to Turkey and my marriage has now also suffered.

"But it’s absolutely vital that the kind of undercover journalism that we do holds institutions to account.”

Mr Rogers claimed he first decided to become a journalist when he was just eight years old, and got his first big break by becoming Newsround’s youngest presenter at 19.

After living in Cobham for more than 10 years, he also claimed he “loved” living in the area.

He said: “I’ve got a business nearby and I’ve got a lot of friends here. It’s great because you get the best of both worlds - close enough and far enough away from London at the same time.”

Half the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Mothers4Children, a charity devoted to help relieve the plight of suffering children.