A CAMPAIGN by a disabled former paratrooper to encourage people to wear red on Fridays in support of our troops is building momentum.

David Morley, 61, from Wilmslow, got businesses on board for Red Fridays as he continues to enlist supporters.

Organisations who have joined in include chippies The Big Fish and Jacksons Supper Bar, The King William pub, on Manchester Road, the Morley Green Club and Chris Bennett Heavy Haulage Ltd, who has offered to help with printing.

Dad-of-two David, was injured when his parachute failed 30 years ago, said: "I’m happy that support is building.

"It just takes a few more people to start wearing red and word starts to spread."

Alex Stylianou, of The Big Fish, Summerfields, said: "I’ve put posters up and can tell my customers about Red Fridays when they ask. We should respect the troops for devoting their lives for us."

David, a member of the Manchester branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, now hopes his campaign will go national.

He said: "I’m trying to build awareness for the troops, they are coming back in boxes and with horrific injuries.

"If people wear something red, it will let them know we are thinking about them. I want to see a sea of red on Grove Street.

"The ultimate aim is for the Government to take notice and do something about the equipment our troops have.

"Red Fridays is not about agreeing with the war or not, the fact is the soldiers are there and we need to show them they are in our hearts and minds."

Red Fridays is building outside Wilmslow, with Tameside grandmother Norma Johnson, whose 19-year-old grandson is serving in Afghanistan, securing the backing of her local MP and scores of residents.

David is in talks with Sainsbury’s manager Steve Morris about displaying on the supermarket’s trucks.

David said: "Red Fridays is growing in Wales, our headquarters in Colchester has started something and my grandson in Hull is spreading the word there.

"Sainsbury’s trucks would be the big one, we could take it all over the country."