CADETS from the Army and Air Training Corps launched the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal at the weekend.

The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Norah Cooney, joined youngsters aged between 12 and 17 in a short ceremony in Redcar High Street at 11am on Saturday.

She spent time talking to the teenagers before they went off in pairs around the streets of the town to collect money for the appeal.

Staff Sergeant Hart, of the Redcar Royal Division of the Cleveland Army Cadet Force, said: "The youngsters do understand the meaning of Poppy Day and the need to help ex-servicemen.

"It's not just a cold Saturday morning collecting on a street corner.

"We are hoping to take them to one of the homes for ex-servicemen which the Poppy Appeal funds."

The Redcar Branch of the Royal British Legion collected donations and held a raffle by Redcar clock.

Mrs Cooney will be involved with the Remembrance Day Parade in the town, reading a lesson during the service and taking the salute during the march past.