RADIO operators, dispatch riders or wireless operators who served in the Second World War are being sought by an association dedicated to keeping their memories alive.

The Spennymoor Royal Signals' Association was set up six years ago to look after ex-servicemen who worked as engineers during their war, and is now trying to recruit members.

Founder member Norman Hyland said: "What we're here for is to look after ex-servicemen and take care of their needs.

"If they can't come to us directly, we can find them associations, if they need help."

Many of the members have fascinating and harrowing stories to tell, such as Robin Bestford, from Byers Green, County Durham. He remembers being sent to a field hospital to have an abscess removed from his head and walking past several hundred German prisoners being marched in a long line guarded by just three British soldiers.

The group's oldest member, Ted Smith, died in December, aged 91.

During the war he served in a unit of three men assigned to listen to German communications.

After being told by an officer to blow up his truck, he walked 85 miles to Dunkirk.

But nobody had remembered to tell the unit to turn back and by the time he got to the beach almost everyone had gone.

Shortly before his death, Mr Smith was presented with five rounds of ammunition by the association, in recognition of the fact that he got through the war without having to use any of the ration of five rounds of ammunition he was given.

The group meets in Spennymoor on the second Friday of every month. To join the group call Colin Bell, on (01833) 690397.