Poppy Appeal volunteers in Sidford and Sidbury have seen an increase in donations after raising £6,500 in their first two months of collecting.

The group has seen an increase of £100 compared to last year from house-to-house collections, and donation boxes in shops, schools and the sales of wreaths.

Colin Kingman, Poppy Appeal co-ordinator for the area, said the total received a huge boost from coffee mornings in Sidford and Newton Poppleford – which raised £1,320 between them. He added: “I would like to thank all the volunteers, shops and schools for having the boxes as well as the people who have donated.”

The Poppy Appeal year runs from October 1 until September 2018, with the branch hoping to raise at least £8,000. Mr Kingman says he will carry on in the role for another year after help came forward to support him.