OLD SOLDIERS have been overwhelmed by support for their plans to put up a national memorial paying tribute to their fallen comrades - with thousands of pounds pouring into their appeal.

Fundraisers have collected more than £25,000 in just over a fortnight - the bulk of it from readers of The Northern Echo.

The response takes them a third of the way to their target of £75,000 for the memorial, which will feature a bronze life size statue of a Durham Light Infantry (DLI) DLI Bugler dressed in the combat uniform of the Korean war.

DLI trustee Appeal co-ordinator and former Colonel, Arthur Charlton, said: "We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response.

"We have received cheques from £5 to £5,000 sent from throughout the county and abroad.

"Many have come from people with family connections to the DLI. The response shows how far reaching the regiment has been in the county."

He added: "I am writing individual letters to thank those who have helped. Many cheques in without their addresses and to all of these people want to express our profound gratitude."

The plans were instigated by two former DLI soldiers who visited the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, where they discovered to their dismay that their regiment was not honoured among the others there.

They secured the backing of the DLI trustees and the arboretum, to place the memorial in a prominent position.

Former signaller Keith Straughier and former bugler Richard Softley, launched the appeal at the DLI Museum and Art Gallery in Durham City on January 15.

The statue is symbollic because it was platoon of DLI buglers who sounded the ceasefire in Korea for the whole of the Commonwealth Division from a hilltop in the front line. Korea was the regiment's last Battle Honour.

Mr Charlton suggested that donors include a gift aid form from the HMRC, which will enable the fundraisers to claim 28 per cent tax back.

Donations for the memorial should be made payable to the Regimental and Chattels Charity of the former DLI. They should be sent to DLI Memorial Appeal, The Rifles Office, Elvet, Waterside, Durham, DH1 3BW.