More than £18,000 was raised in Newton Aycliffe for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal thanks to collections at businesses, pubs and schools in the town.

Over £8,000 was raised through collections at Tesco, with large sums also being contributed by customers of Aldi and Wilko.

The charity effort involved local people and volunteers donating their time and giving generously.

Newton Aycliffe Women’s Institute, ladies from the Phoenix Club, Newton Aycliffe Indoor Bowling Club and Co-op Funeralcare all made a significant commitment to volunteering their time to collect money throughout November.

Thanks should also go to the staff at Tesco, Aldi, Wilko and the businesses throughout Newton Aycliffe that supported the Poppy Appeal.

The funds raised will go towards providing welfare services to the armed forces community living throughout the UK.

Ian Robinson, Poppy Appeal organiser, said: “It’s been a great effort again by everyone involved and we went past last year’s total. The fundraising really wouldn’t be possible without local people volunteering their time to staff the collection points.”