DUNKIRK comrades raising money to lay their standard to rest may see their wish come true after a swift and generous response from Evening Press readers.

In later editions yesterday we told how the veterans were poised to take to the streets with collection tins to gather cash for a case in which to display the standard at York Minster.

Now the veterans are considering an offer from the College of Ripon and York St John to make the case free of charge.

Duncan Brooks, head of programme for art, design and technology at the college, offered his services after reading about the veterans' attempt to keep the memory of sacrifices made in Dunkirk alive, when the York branch of the Dunkirk Veterans' Association is disbanded later this year.

The veterans will go ahead with a planned street collection in Coppergate tomorrow and give the proceeds to the college to help with costs, should their offer be accepted by the Minster.

Tricia King, head of marketing and communications for the college, said: "Duncan Brooks came into my office yesterday as soon as he'd seen the Evening Press and said, 'we've got to help'.

"We would obviously want to work very closely with the Minster to make sure it was appropriate."

Peter Shaw, secretary of the York branch of the Dunkirk Veterans' Association, said: "This is marvellous. It sounds very interesting and it's very, very kind of them."

Mr Shaw is consulting the Minster.

Meanwhile other offers have been flooding in from members of the public. Anyone still wishing to support the veterans should send cheques made payable to the Dunkirk Old Comrades, York, and sent to Peter Shaw, 65 Willow Rise, Tadcaster, LS24 9LL. Cheques will be returned if the Minster accepts the college's offer and the money is not needed.