AN appeal has been launched to secure a lasting memorial to York's Dunkirk vet-erans.

The York branch of the Dunkirk Veterans' Association is to be wound up this year like the rest of the association.

Now a fundraising appeal has been started to ensure the branch's standard can be housed in York Minster for posterity.

The standard was dedicated in the Minster in 1977 and the association has received permission to "lay it up" in the Minster next to the memorial to the men who lost their lives at Dunkirk.

But Peter Shaw, branch secretary, said the cost of the case for the standard would be £2,600.

He said: "We only have eight members left and we are obliged to lay it up when the association closes.

"We would appeal to anyone who would like to help us raise the money to get in touch.

"With having our existing memorial in the Minster, having our standard there would complete the memorial. It will be there forever more. It will be part of his-tory and will remember the campaign in France in 1940."

The members will be collecting towards their target in the Coppergate Centre, York, from 10am until 4pm on Thursday, July 6.

Anyone wanting to contribute can telephone 01937 832000.