BLUE Peter and the British Red Cross are urging North-East viewers to dig out unwanted clothes in aid of the TV programme's Welcome Home Appeal.

Launched today, the appeal is aimed at supporting the vital work the Red Cross carries out in Angola by putting families and children back in touch following years of conflict. In the coming weeks, the programme will ask viewers to help the appeal by giving clothes to Red Cross shops to sell. There are several Red Cross shops across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Lynne McMahon, who is one of the Red Cross retail managers in the North-East, said: "The staff and volunteers who man our shops are really excited about the appeal. They cannot wait to start seeing the bags being brought in by supportive Blue Peter viewers, then getting the clothes tagged and on sale in order to help the Red Cross tracing work in Angola."

Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq said: "While we were filming Red Cross work in Angola for the programme, one of the most moving stories we told was that of 15-year-old Idalina.

"She had been separated from her family for five years, but through the Red Cross tracing service, they had been found. By donating unwanted clothing -five bags can help someone trace a relative -we can really make a difference."

Red Cross chief executive Sir Nicholas Young said: "The money the Welcome Home Appeal will raise is vital to Red Cross work in Angola. It is a country twice the size of France and it is difficult for separated families to get in touch."