A hairdresser from Croydon has travelled to Iraq to fight Islamic State terrorists - and said he is prepared to kill other Britons for the cause. 

Mama Kurda, 26, joined the Kurdish Peshmerga to battle the Sunni militant group, responsible for the killing, kidnapping, rape and dislocation of thousands of people in Iraq and Syria.

The Kurdish-born former engineering student, who moved to Croydon aged 15 and runs a salon in Clapham, told the Daily Mirror he wanted to "save lives" and defend the UK. 

In a video-link interview with the newspaper, he said: "I am proud to be British and fighting against terrorists to help defend the UK."

Mr Kurda, who studied at Croydon College, said he would have no hesitation in killing a Brit who had joined the Islamic State.

The murderer of US journalist James Foley, whose execution was filmed and posted on YouTube by Islamic State this week, is thought to have been a jihadist from London.

Mr Kurda said he believed the killer, along with other jihadists, had been drugged to enable them to commit unspeakable acts of violence. 

Do you know Mama Kurda? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6351 or email chris.baynes@london.newsquest.co.uk