THE lighter side of the British war effort has been honoured at a military museum, thanks to a gift from a North-East man.

Edward Reah, of Fulwell, Sunderland, has donated a range of props used by Ensa, the forces entertainment group, to the Eden Camp Museum, at Malton, North Yorkshire.

The box of props, which includes a tin helmet, gas mask and German officer's cap, was used in a 1986 production by the Durham Theatre Company.

Museum archivist Nick Hill said: "Ensa served a very important purpose, keeping morale up and entertaining people. They were young men, women and children, who wanted to do something for the war effort."

The items will be incorporated into displays at Eden Camp.