FOR many November is associated with treacle toffee, sparklers and shimmering explosions.

But for a number of veterans living in Warrington, it is a month that leads to fear, anxiety and panic attacks.

Veterans charity Blue Apple Heroes is hoping to put a stop to the latter after raising enough cash to take former soldiers suffering with post-traumatic stress away from the bangs and explosions to a much more tranquil environment in the Scottish highlands.

It is the second year the cause has taken veterans to 24-bed Rothiemurchus Lodge in Cairngorm Mountains for two nights of respite and with a minibus having already been kindly donated for the trip, the charity are now looking for help paying for fuel and food for the trip.

Walton resident Mark Smith, who set up the charity after serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, added: "November is the worst month of the year for veterans suffering from combat stress due to two dates; Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday and there's more guys committing suicide in this month than any other.

"We go to Scotland the day before Bonfire Night and have a barbecue the first night and then the rest of the trip is a bonding session.

"The guys feel a lot safer and and have a lot more confidence during the trip rather than being at home and thinking they're in a war zone under attack."

Coping mechanisms in the past could be anything from wearing headphones and playing music to drown out the sound of fireworks or taking medication which Mark added has led to other problems including veterans overdosing.

The secluded spot in Scotland is 2.5 miles away from the main road and after a successful visit last year has grown in popularity with 17 people making the trip from Warrington this year..

Mark, who hopes to start a petition calling for fireworks only to be sold on November 5 rather than weeks in advance, added: "Veterans have told us the trip has prevented suicide and saved marriages.

"You know it's coming up in November so you can get people building themselves up to it beforehand and if they think they're going to be ill, they will be ill.

"But the trip had a really positive effect last year and we're hoping that can only grow further in the future."

For more information, call 46800, e-mail marksmith@blueappleheroes.org.uk or visit blueappleheroes.org.uk