TWO friends have joined forces to raise the profile of the poppy in North Craven.

Gill O'Donnell, of Giggleswick, and friend Demelza Hartley, of Lowe Maintenance Training, Settle, have created a special remembrance window at the business's Duke Street base.

And they are inviting members of the public to add their own poppies to the display. They can be knitted, crocheted, made of fabric, paper or created in any other way. The ideal size is three inches and, if desired, they can carry the name of a loved one.

"It's very easy to think of Remembrance as being just one minute on one day of the year," said Gill. "But for many people, it is a lot more than that, it's about every minute of every day."

And Demelza added: "We'd like as many people as possible to create a poppy to place in our window so that from now through to mid-November everyone can see that we do remember not only those who died in the First World War but those who have died since, those who have been wounded both physically and mentally and those who are still serving."

Gill and her friends are also holding a coffee morning in aid of The Royal British Legion at Lowe Maintenance Training on Saturday, November 15, from 10am to 2pm.

"The choice of the date is deliberate," said Gill. "We want to emphasise that the vital work of supporting those affected by conflict doesn't stop just because Remembrance Sunday has passed."

A small selection of crafts and cards will be on sale.