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Just as one man’s meat is another’s poison, one person’s hostage situation is another’s holiday of a lifetime. Don’t believe me? Take it up with the people at Quintessentially Escape, a UK travel firm that offers the Hostage Rescue package. In an escapade designed to take participants out of their comfort zone and into adrenalin-fuelled madness, the hostage could be you.

It works like this: one of the firm’s drivers collects you from central London and whisks you off in an armoured vehicle to a secret location where military types give you a crash course in hostage- release tactics. After that it’s time to put your new skills to the test, as you are involved in “a full, live extraction”. Expect smoke, Hollywood- style explosions and pretend gunfire. It’s all a bit like 24 (above).

The deal is for a minimum of two people, which is just as well, as on your own you might get scared. The package costs £3,900 (€4,350).

quintessentiallyescape.com