FIVE years ago this week, The Northern Echo threw its backing behind a campaign to honour the men who served in the Durham Light Infantry by creating a memorial in their home county.

The regiment had no memorial in its home county, despite its legacy being deeply embedded in the hearts of North-East people.

Veterans launched a campaign to have a DLI statue symbolising the moment when DLI buglers sounded the ceasefire in Korea in 1953 – a replica of a statue unveiled in the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, the previous July.

The campaign raised £75,000 and culminated in a moving ceremony in Durham City's Market Place in September 2014 when hundreds of people turned out to see the official unveiling of the ceremony in front of the town hall.

Honorary Colonel James Ramsbotham said: “We have worked long and hard to get this lasting memorial up for the DLI.

“Everyone who has lived in this county for any length of time, particularly families who have lived here for several generations, has a little place in their heart for the DLI – because some family member has served with it and indeed many made the ultimate sacrifice for it."

IN other news, it was reported that ambulances were queuing for up to two hours outside hospitals before handing over patients.

Staff at Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) and the North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said they were experiencing delays at many of the regions hospitals.

They described the situation at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, as "dangerous".

One experienced paramedic said: "Somebody is going to die somewhere down the line and it could be the most vulnerable."

Bosses at James Cook said they were trying to reduce handover delays, which were being caused back a lack of staff and cubicles.

A GIRL with hair that reaches down her back had some of it cut off for charity.

Mia Liddell, nine, from Chester-le-Street, donated two plaits, each measuring nearly a foot long, to victims of childhood cancer.

The Red Rose Primary School pupil's locks were given to the Little Princess Trust after her hair was cut at Saks, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street.

As well as the hair donation, Mia also raised nearly £400 for the charity.

DRIVERS approaching temporary traffic lights did a double take at a misspelt road sign.

The temporary sign, quickly removed from the A167 North Road, on the outskirts of Darlington, told motorists to drive in "singel file".

IN national news, Britain’s oldest man died at the age of 110.

Former minister, Reg Dean, died in Derbyshire.

He was involved in charity work throughout his life and completed a sponsored walk from Nottingham to Derby at the age of 90.