FIVE Yorkshire soldiers have handed over the results of a charm offensive in shopping centres all over the North-East.

The squad from the 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, based at Catterick Garrison, visited the Piecehall in Halifax, Huddersfield town centre, Eldon Square in Newcastle, the Cornmill in Darlington, the Victoria Centre in Harrogate, the White Rose complex in Leeds, Milburngate in Durham, Hill Street in Middlesbrough, and Princess Quay in Hull.

At each destination, they persuaded shoppers to give loose change in memory of soldiers who fought in the two world wars.

But this was not the annual Poppy Day appeal. It was to help raise money for Memorial Gates at London's Hyde Park, a new monument to be dedicated to the memory of two million soldiers of ethnic backgrounds who fought with the Allied forces. The collection raised a total of £1,860 and the team travelled to the House of Lords to hand a cheque to Baroness Flather, who chairs the Memorial Gates Trust