AN ARMY mother made an emotional journey across the country to take a military flag to an internationally renowned military pub.

Julie Francis explained that photographs of both her soldier father and son, who is still serving, as well as her great uncle who died in the First World War were already displayed at The Don pub in central Stockton in the north east. 

And now the 47-year-old from Lower Walton has made the trip from Warrington to present a Union Flag which was the first one to be flown at her home town's cenotaph after campaigning for improvements.

Julie's father, David Francis, a decorated veteran, had died aged 79 in January and her son, Luke, 24, is a serving Lance Corporal. 

She said: "We have nowhere like this at home and I think it is just a brilliant place. It's been emotional."

Pub landlady, Julie Cooper, who has made national headlines for turning the bar into a military pub with 70,000 Royal British Legion poppies on the walls and ceiling, explained that she is contacted by people from around the world including a German army veteran.

The pub raises thousands for the Royal British Legion, Veterans at Ease, Forces Support and Armed Forces Bikers.

Forthcoming charity events include a free Christmas Day buffet at 5pm to commemorate the 1914 football match between British and German soldiers in the First World War.