STAFF at a County Durham care home have rallied round to support a colleague's son in the Gulf.

Workers and residents at Stansfield House, Stanley, have collected goods to send to Sergeant Craig Wattam, who is serving in the Royal Artillery in Basra.

Daryl Wattam, Craig's father and manager at Stansfield House, said: "All of the staff and residents have collected a variety of personal essentials, including toothpaste, sun creams, handkerchiefs, food and sweets for the troops.

"These will be packaged up and sent out to my son in Basra within the next few days. Craig will pass these on to the troops on our behalf."