AN ARMY may march on its stomach but British squaddies have famously relied on a regular supply of tea to get them through the rigours of war.

Although the role of YMCA 'tea huts' in World War One might have been largely overlooked by historians, their vital contribution to the welfare of troops has fallen under the spotlight in Bradford where a replica has been constructed in a project linked to today's YMCA in the city.

The project has been so successful it has earned a place in the prestigious Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London for one of those who gave up her own time to make it happen.

Lynne Cunningham has been given one of only ten regional places to represent the YMCA at this year's service,

YMCA colleague Rob Ashford has already attended a Downing Street function because of his role in working with young people to construct the tent-like structure.

It has been used at various events in Bradford through the summer, including Armed Forces Day, to serve up free cuppas in time-honoured fashion and provide information about the role tea huts played in WW1.

The YMCA has recognised the voluntary work put in by Lynne by inviting her to attend the ceremony, a gesture she found especially moving because she has a military career background.

Her day job involves working with eight to 13-year-olds through the YMCA and helping to steer them through mainstream education.

But in the evenings she also runs her own Camouflage Crew group for young people in the Low Grange and Allerton area.

The work she does is influenced by her military background, so the connection with the YMCA meant researching tea huts and role the organisation played in WW1 was a natural development for the group.

"The invitation is a huge honour for me, on two levels," she said, "Being ex-military it is an honour to be in London for Remembrance Sunday and also to be recognised myself for my voluntary work and connections with the YMCA ."

The construction work on the hut was done in conjunction with a scheme run by the Prince's Trust, with construction work being carried out at Carlton Bolling College.

The tea huts were first used to provide refreshments as the British Army was mobilised and huge numbers of recruits were moved around the country, but as the war progressed, they were used on the front line, with some being built into the trench systems on the Western Front to provide sustenance and a morale boost to soldiers.