HUNDREDS of north Durham war veterans will attend three reunions this year, thanks to a National Lottery grant.

The Consett and Stanley branch of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) has been awarded more than £2,000.

It will fund a dinner in November for 500 members, a visit to Catterick Garrison, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, later this month, and a trip to Eden Camp at the end of August.

Branch event organiser Thomas Gibson said: "The lottery money is invaluable in assisting us to organise these events, which mean so much to us all."

The grant came from the Lottery's Home Front Recall scheme, to help fund events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

It will focus on commemorating the part played by those on the Home Front during the war years, including firefighters, nurses, dock workers and miners.

Other groups which have already benefited include Newcastle and District Normandy Veterans' Association.

It was awarded £850 towards a remembrance service that took place in Newcastle on June 6 to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Event organiser Stanley Dobson said: "There are only about 25 of our veterans left in the Newcastle area now."