PALS puckered up to give a surprising seasonal treat to Christmas shoppers in Ilkley - and raise hundreds of pounds in memory of their former friend.

The charity kissathon was in memory of James Parrish, a 21-year-old Ilkley student who died from cancer in April.

Friends of the popular youngster teamed up for a fundraising day on behalf of the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care, whose specialist nurses had helped look after James at home, where he wanted to spend his final days.

The kissathon saw the brave bunch of fundraisers spend the whole day and evening on the streets of Ilkley, accosting passers-by who seemed only too happy to be given smackeroonis by total strangers and raised a grand total of £500.

Bradford pensioner Charles Morton, 81, an enthusiastic donor to the appeal, said: "This is a good idea for a good cause - it's certainly brightened my day up."

Policewoman Janet Senior also found the time to snuggle up with suave fundraiser Simon Padgett, 23, who had dressed to kill in a white tuxedo.

Organiser Ian Dawes explained: "James was quite a ladies' man and I think he would have approved.

Jenny Symons, the mother of one of James' friends, was at 44 the eldest 'serial kisser' on duty - the youngest was 11.

"If James is looking down, he will be very tickled by this," she said.

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