A SOLDIER based in the region is hoping for sweet success after launching a flapjack bar to raise funds for a forces charity.

Staff Sergeant Duncan Wilson, who is based at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, hopes his Squaddie Bar will help swell the coffers of the charity Afghan Heroes.

The 45-year-old, who serves in the Military Provost Guard Service, is selling an oat cereal bar, which comes in chocolate and yoghurt flavours, developed by a Manchester-based firm, which makes a donation to the charity for every bar sold.

Staff Sgt Wilson said: “A lot of people do things for charity, such as running marathons and what have you, but it can be quite hard getting sponsorship for events like that, so I came up with this, because everybody has to eat.

“I got the idea from watching the guys munching chocolate bars in the canteen. I thought it would be a good idea to have a bar named after them.”

He added: “Afghan Heroes was formed by the wives and partners of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and provides a wide range of support services.”

Go to afghanheroes.org.uk for more details about its work.

Staff Sgt Wilson is hoping businesses will join his fundraising efforts by stocking his flapjacks.

He can be contacted at wils842@aol.com