Traditional red poppies will be available from shops, pubs and restaurants throughout the district from tomorrow (Friday) as the St Albans branch of the Royal British Legion starts its annual Poppy Appeal.

Herts Advertiser: Just some of the boxes of poppy appeal items stored and distributed from Mitchell HallJust some of the boxes of poppy appeal items stored and distributed from Mitchell Hall (Image: Archant)

The branch operates from Mitchell Hall in Verulam Road and is one of the oldest in the country.

Members work to ensure that ex-servicemen and women, along with their families, are supported and helped where necessary and that those who have given their lives in the service of this country are not forgotten.

Volunteers are still needed to help with the Poppy Appeal, so anyone who can spare an hour or two is asked to contact branch chairman Don Dell on 07747 467836.

Don said: “Through the exceptional generosity of the people of St Albans last year the local branch alone raised almost £64,000 while the legion as a whole collected in the region of £36 million.”

This year’s Remembrance Sunday is on November 9. Service veterans and youth organisations will assemble outside BHS in St Peter’s Street at 10.30am and then, led by their standards, march to the city’s memorial, which was recently renovated by the district council.