AN ARMY mother has made an emotional journey across the country to take a military flag to an internationally renowned military pub.

Julie Francis explained that photographs of both her soldier father and son, who is still serving, as well as her great uncle who died in the First World War were already displayed at The Don pub in central Stockton.

And now the 47-year-old has made the trip from Warrington in Lancashire to present a Union Flag which was the first one to be flown at her home town's cenotaph.

Ms Francis explained that she had flown a flag after campaigning for improvements to be made at Warrington's cenotaph. She said that her father, David Francis, a decorated veteran, had died aged 79 in January and her son, Luke, 24, is still a serving Lance Corporal, adding: "We have nowhere like this at home and I think it is just a brilliant place. It's been emotional."

Pub landlady, Julie Cooper, who has made national headlines for turning the bar into a military pub with 70,000 Royal British Legion poppies on the walls and ceiling, explained that she is contacted by people from around the world including a German Army veteran.

The pub raises thousands for the Royal British Legion, Veterans at Ease, Forces Support and Armed Forces Bikers.

Forthcoming charity events include a free Christmas Day buffet at 5pm to commemorate the 1914 football match between British and German soldiers in the First World War. On Wednesday, December 23 there will be a children's Christmas party and Ms Cooper will complete a charity parachute jump early next year.

Find out more at the pub's Facebook page at facebook.com/The-Don-War-Memorial-bar-Stockton-on-Tees