A regional daily has stepped in to help save a town’s remembrance parade by donating £500 to the cause.

The Burton Mail acted after the Royal British Legion revealed that the event to honour members of the armed forces could have been in jeopardy if funds were not secured to help pay for it.

Funds collected from the Mail’s Pennies for Our Heroes campaign, which saw readers donate cash to build new memorials for the servicemen of its patch, have now been used to ensure the parade in Burton will go ahead.

Details of next month’s parade are now being finalised.

Mail editor Emma Turton, left, hands over the cheque for £500 to RBL Burton branch member Roy Whenman

Mail editor Emma Turton said: “The public response to our Pennies for Our Heroes campaign has been overwhelming and a testament to the charitable nature of our readers.

“This is why when we heard about the issues facing the Royal British Legion we knew that we had to step in and make sure this vital form of remembrance would continue to take place.”

Roy Whenman, from the Burton branch of the RBL, added: “”I am thrilled and honoured that the Mail has decided to use the Pennies for our Heroes fund to help with the parade. It’s great news.

“Without the sponsorship we would find it difficult to keep going. There would be a doubt as to whether we could pay for it.

“Remembrance Day is so important because if it wasn’t for these people, especially in the last war, we wouldn’t be sitting here now.”