A SHOP commemorating the Second World War has been given the thumbs up by local veterans.

The World War II military shop opened in Tow Law last week to display collectables from all aspects of the conflict.

Veterans, historians and members of the Northern World War II Association honoured the opening of the shop with stories from the war and their own original and reconditioned uniforms.

The shop is owned by Sharon and John Elliot.

Ms Elliot, 38, said: "We have been trading at Durham market for four years and we have a website selling our stuff.

"John's dad was a physical training instructor in the Royal Artillery in the 50s.

"John himself was in the Marine reserves, his family have a strong history with the military."

Mr Elliot, 30, also specialises in putting old Second World War medals on mounts and was selected by the Normandy Vets Pilgrimage Club to mount medals for veterans for Armistice day.

Veteran Gil Thompson, 79, from Tow Law, fought in the Second battalion Oxon and Bucks in the Sixth Airborne Division between 1939 and 1945.

He said: "It is great for Tow Law to have a shop like this.

"It's a good way of getting the youngsters interested in the war."