Poppy Appeal volunteers are hoping for another successful season of collecting - after raising a record £13,000 last year.

The Sidbury and Sidford Branch of the Royal British Legion saw its total soar by more than £4,000 in 2014. Now organisers hope that support will be as generous this year.

Last year’s total was boosted after a concert in Sidmouth featuring Lympstone’s Military Wives Choir helped raise £3,500.

Volunteers also helped the appeal at coffee mornings and house-to-house collections.

Appeal organiser Colin Kingman, who co-ordinates the collection for Sidbury, Sidford and Newton Poppleford, praised the work of helpers.

He said: “We usually raise somewhere in the region of £8,000 to £9,000 altogether, but the Military Wives made a big difference and raised £3,500. It was hard work, but well worth the effort.”

The branch is now preparing for its busiest fortnight in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Kingman is looking for new volunteers to join the branch and help with house-to-house collections in Sidbury, Sidford and Newton Poppleford.

He said: “We need people to collect during the two weeks going house-to-house and for people to join the RBL.

“We need younger people as most of us on the committee are in our 70s and 80s. We are looking for people to join the branch who are willing to get involved and do some work and also help collect.”

Mr Kingman added: “Please continue to generously support the appeal as you have done in the past.”

Poppy collectors will be knocking on doors from Saturday, October 24. Alternatively, poppies will be available from businesses across the villages.