THE Bewdley branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) has raised more than £10,000 so far this year for the annual Poppy Appeal.

Members of the Bewdley RBL have spent time circling the streets of the town, collecting money to support the group’s welfare work for the armed forces community.

Poppy trays and tins have also been placed in various shops, pubs and schools to help raise extra funds for the appeal.

Paul Gittins, chairman and poppy organiser of the Bewdley branch, said: “I am very pleased to announce we have raised over £10,000.

“I would like to thank all the members and our friends who stood for hours in the town centre collecting.

“I’d also like to thank the shops and pubs that allowed us to put poppy trays and collecting tins in them, to the schools and those of you who contributed.

“What a fantastic effort, and I would dearly like to see everyone wearing a 1914-2014 poppy badge to show that they will always remember the sacrifices that were made during the those years.”

More than 40 million remembrance poppies, 500,000 poppies of other types, five million remembrance petals, 100,000 wreaths and sprays and 750,000 remembrance crosses and other items are made and sold by the RBL each year.

It takes 350,000 volunteers and staff to organise the poppy appeal each year and the Bewdley branch are also looking for volunteer street collectors in the town.

Mr Gittins can provide a variety of poppy appeal items including poppy badges, poppy wreaths and crosses for residents who will be visiting the battle fields, or for other occasions.

For more information call 01299 404113