A VETERANS charity is appealing for fundraising ideas to give former soldiers in the town a Christmas gift that will support them all year round.

Blue Apple Heroes, currently based on Sankey Street, have been awarded funding to lease their own building for three years from March 2015 but need to pay £15,000 up front for their ideal location.

A spokesman added: "We simply do not have that amount of funds at our disposal and we need ideas from you of ways in which we can raise these funds by January 30 next year.

"If we can get enough pledges for help, the landlord is willing to let us take up occupation of the property in the next few weeks.

"This would enable us to support our veterans and their families fully over the Christmas period, which is regularly one of the most difficult times of the year for our veterans."

The charity are encouraging readers to share their 'apple selfies' to help spread the word of how people can donate.