ONE of Hampshire's biggest annual remembrance events has been saved, thanks to the Daily Echo.

Three businesses have come forward to back the service after organisers issued a plea for help through the newspaper.

Veterans, families and friends will once again be able to honour the war dead thanks to the generosity of Jonathan Terry Funeral Directors of Bitterne, Perry Antiques of Blackfield and Southampton-based solicitors Paris, Smith & Randall.

They have all agreed to sponsor the Band Concert and Festival of Remembrance at Southampton Guildhall.

Organiser Tom McEniry, treasurer of the Woolston branch of The Royal British Legion, had warned that if no businesses came forward, this year's event on November 15 and next year's commemoration would not be able to go ahead.

Together veterans had sent 45 letters to local businesses asking for the £800 costs for this year's festival but without any success.

However, following Mr McEniry's impassioned plea in the Daily Echo, three businesses quickly contacted him to say they would help with the costs of printing programmes and tickets.

Now funding has been secured for this year's event, the 60th anniversary year of the D-Day landings, and next year's festival, which will take place in the 60th anniversary year of VE Day and VJ Day.

"I am very pleased," said the 74-year-old RAF veteran. "I just could not believe how quickly people responded to the article.

"I have already received two cheques for £400 to cover this year's cost and I'm delighted that we don't have to worry about the cost of next year's service now either

"I want to publicly thank all the sponsors and the Daily Echo, too, for publishing the appeal."

Jonathan Terry is jointly sponsoring this year's event with Perry Antiques.

He said: "It would be a shame if it could not go ahead.

"We have to honour the people who have fought for us in the past. I just felt that as a company it would be nice tosupport the event and give something back to the community."

Malcolm Le Bas, senior partner at Paris, Smith & Randall was prompted to act after reading the article in the Daily Echo.

"We would have been appalled if this worthy event would not be able to go ahead because of a lack of funds and we are very pleased to support next year's event."