FIVE years ago this week, David Cameron had resigned after Britain voted to leave the European Union.

He would stand down at the Tory Party conference three months later.

Mr Cameron said at the time that Britain's economy was fundamentally strong and there would be no immediate change, but the will of the people must be respected.

His voice wavering the Prime Minister said he was proud to have served the country for six years.

And he added: "I fought this campaign the only way I know how - with my head, heart and soul - but the British people have made it clear they wish to take a separate path."

More than £100 billion was wiped off the FTSE 100 as the index fell more than 7%, while the pound also crashed 8% against the US dollar.

Flanked by wife Samantha, Mr Cameron said he had informed the Queen of his decision to remain in place for the short term, but hand over to a new Prime Minister by the time of the Conservative annual conference.

"The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected," said Mr Cameron at the time. "The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered."

His voice breaking, Mr Cameron said: "I love this country and I feel honoured to have served it and I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed."

Also that week, street collectors urging North-East well-wishers to help injured and homeless veterans were working for a private profit-making promotional company with an almost identical name to a genuine charity, The Northern Echo revealed.

Trading standards officers investigated the activities of street sellers working on behalf of Forgotten Hero's in towns and cities throughout the region.

They arrived in Darlington town centre earlier that month, selling £3 wristbands - costing pennies to produce - and claiming they were using the proceeds to fund their own home for veterans in Wales

However, The Northern Echo revealed that the street sellers operating on Darlington’s High Row – and in Durham and Sunderland – were not charity collectors but work for a promotional company headed by Blackpool men Peter James Walsh and Darren Ford.

Meanwhile, a girl who wrote a book about enduring gruelling surgery had been given a unique experience at an RAF base to celebrate her courage and inspiration to young people.

Caitlyn Manley, 12, visited RAF Leeming, near Bedale, after winning the Inspiring Young Woman of the Year title in awards launched by Redcar MP Anna Turley, in memory of one of her predecessors, Mo Mowlam.

Caitlyn had been nominated for the Redcar and Cleveland Inspiring Women awards by her mother, Karen, after undergoing the operations to correct a condition that had affected her legs from birth. Both her legs were broken in three places and fitted with external metalwork and frames for six months at a time.