AN air cadet corps' fundraising effort has been given a flying start by a local company.

Members of 1407 (Newton Aycliffe) Air Training Corps wrote to employer 3M Aycliffe requesting a small prize for their fundraising raffle.

Instead, the group has been presented with a cheque for £250 from the company, which manufactures respiratory products and environmental protection materials.

Mike Simpson, the company's community relations co-ordinator, said: "The Air Training Corps is a voluntary organisation that offers a great deal for young people in the district, so when we received their request for a prize we thought we could do better than that.

"We hope the money will be useful to them."

The cadet corps, which was established in Newton Aycliffe 15 years ago, has a membership of 29 boys and nine girls.

Their activities range from flying gliders and rifle shooting to service in the community.

Heather Bage, the secretary of the corps' civil committee, said: "Our members work hard at fundraising and this is a wonderful help for us."