EX-SERVICEMEN and families of those who served in the Staffordshire Regiment are to take part in a trip to the Somme, thanks to a generous Lottery grant.

The Dover branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association has been given £7,803 by the National Lottery’s Awards for All scheme.

The Mayor of Dover, Cllr Jan Tranter, presented the money at the Three Links Club in Pencester Road, where meetings are held.

Cllr Tranter also presented the association with a plaque from Dover Town Council, in recognition of the association and their work.

It was the idea of members Gina Quinlan and Gary Gunner to take former servicemen and relatives of those killed in service during the First World War to visit the Somme and the battlefield war graves.

The Staffordshire Regiment is based in Lichfield, near Birmingham. The regiment suffered heavy losses in the First World War and today the Staffs are halfway through a tour in Iraq.

The association meets every month and supports other battalions through taking part in an annual reunion.