SOUTH Lakeland residents are being challenged to gather a tonne of unwanted clothing to help keep their local air ambulance service flying.

Seven towns across Cumbria and the North East have been set the target by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which can sell on the items to keep its helicopters in the air.

Claire Herworth, of GNAAS, said: “We have set a target of collecting a tonne a town, so we hope residents in all the areas can rise to the challenge.

“With the changing of the seasons, it’s as good a time as any to root out those unwanted items.

"Every penny raised from the sale of the items will go to the air ambulance, so everyone’s a winner.”

GNAAS is holding the clothing collections in Kendal, Alnwick, Darlington, Stockton, Northallerton, Workington and Whitby next week.

The Kendal collections will take place on Wednesday at Jump Into Kendal, Elephant Yard, Kendal.

Empty sacks are available to collect now at the locations, but clothing will be welcomed in any plastic carrier bag or bin liner.

Several community-led collections are also taking place throughout the region during the week.

To organise one, or for more information, call GNAAS on 01325-487 263.