RESIDENTS of a village came together to raise hundreds of pounds for armed forces and veterans.

Heighington village gathered on Remembrance Day for 24 hours of memorial celebrations.

Local resident Steve Jackson was one of 2,500 loner pipers across the country to sound the bagpipes at 6am.

People then gathered in the church for a morning remembrance service and minutes’ silence, before making their way to the village hall for a commemorative lunch.

Guests of honour were the Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham, Mr Sandy Anderson, and 99-year-old Doug Sayles, a Royal Navy veteran from the Second World War.

Thanks to donations at the Remembrance lunch £250 was raised in funds.

Councillor Gerald Lee, of the Heighington ward, visited Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison on January 31 to present the cheque with residents Christine Snowball, Judith King and John Snowball.

Receiving the cheque was Abigail Richardson, events coordinator for Help for Heroes.

Cllr Lee said: “Thank you all for the great contribution you made to the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“A lovely gesture and something that will add to the village of Heighington.”