CADETS who stepped in to support the poppy appeal in Stokesley have boosted the total raised by giving up their weekend.

The appeal had faltered in the town after the demise of the Stokesley branch of the Royal British Legion and the Osmotherley branch were forced to step in to keep it going.

A team of volunteers have been working in the town to raise funds for ex-servicemen and were helped out by Stokesley’s Army Cadet Detachment who gave up their Saturday to help sell poppies.

The 20 cadets helped to raise £1,300 on Saturday alone.

Osmotherley branch chairman, David Black, said: "People are often critical of modern youth, but these cadets set an outstanding example to us all, showing a willingness and enthusiasm which was heart-warming to see. They were a credit to their unit, their parents and the town."