Laurence Taylor, 86, stood in Snaith's Market Place collecting donations on Saturday to raise cash for soldiers in his former regiment, the Coldstream Guards.

Mr Taylor, of Roland Simpson Close in the town, decided to start raising money after the first battalion guards were sent to Afghanistan for the second time in three years.

He said: "It's to make life easier for the soldiers and for the children left behind at Christmas.

"One lady came and gave me 50p and said 'God Bless you'. That meant a lot to me.

"They were wonderful. Cars were stopping in the street and waving £10 notes out of the window."

Mr Taylor was part of the second battalion of the Coldstream Guards and spent six years serving in Germany, Tunisia and Italy during the war.

He said he understands what the soldiers are going through and wants to do all he can to help – his efforts coinciding with Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Continuing his fund-raising plight, Mr Laurence plans to appeal to local businesses this weekend to boost his £601 total.

All proceeds will help buy gifts for soldiers in Afghanistan, pay for their families to see a pantomime and enjoy a Christmas party and fund hospital travel for families to visit loved ones wounded in action.

Local businesses and individuals can still donate by cheque, made payable to Coldstream Guards Central Branch, at Snaith Post Office, Market Place.