AN air ambulance charity hopes to collect tonnes of unwanted clothing to keep its helicopters flying.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is holding clothing collections in Darlington, Stockton and Northallerton on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

The fundraiser has been boosted by car dealership Sherwoods, which has offered its three showrooms in the three towns as collection points.

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

Claire Herworth, of GNAAS, said: “We have set a target of collecting a tonne per town, so we hope residents in Darlington, Northallerton and Stockton can rise to the challenge.

“With the changing of the seasons, it’s as good a time as any to have a wardrobe clear-out.

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

Simon MacConachie, general manager at Sherwoods in Darlington, said: “Sherwoods is happy to help and we look forward to welcoming plenty of people with their bags to our showrooms during air ambulance week.”

The collections take place in Sherwoods’ premises during office hours on Wednesday at Chesnut Street, Darlington and Preston Farm, Stockton and on Thursday at Standard Way, Northallerton.

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

If you would like to organise one, or for more general information, call GNAAS on 01325-487263.