POPPY Appeal organisers are appealing to the public to support the campaign to raise money to help service people and their families.

In Wiltshire the Royal British Legion (RBL) raised £377,218 from the Poppy Appeal last year. Nationally the appeal raised a total of £26 million.

The RBL will be touring towns in Wiltshire to promote this year's Poppy Appeal and to try to recruit more collectors.

This year's campaign focuses on remembering the significance of the poppy and the RBL's commitment to supporting the men and women who have put their lives on the line for their nation both past and present.

Dennis Compton, the county RBL chairman, said: "Events in Iraq and Afghanistan show us that the human cost of conflict is sadly ongoing and that the Poppy Appeal is still as relevant now as it ever has been. Your donations are needed to support veterans of all conflicts right up to the present day.

"We are launching the campaign in each town with the help of an open top bus, bands, the Biker branch cadets, vintage cars and even a fly past in several locations. The mayor will be given the first poppy in each town."

Monika Geoghegan, the RBL county field officer, said: "I'd like to thank all those who gave generously to the appeal last year. We raised around £377,218 for our welfare work in Wiltshire which allowed us to address over 600 requests for help.

"This represents an increase of 30 per cent in the work we do so our need for ongoing support is evident."

The services offered by the RBL ranges from giving grants to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as providing full nursing care.

On Monday the Devizes branch of the RBL presented long service awards to 14 people who have been organising and selling poppies.

The volunteers have taken part in the appeal for many years, ranging from ten to 45 years. Last year about £14,500 was raised from the Poppy Appeal in the Devizes area.

Bob Shergold, the organiser of the Devizes Poppy Appeal, said: "Each year we raise more money. We couldn't do it without the help of our volunteers, quite a few of whom are in their eighties."

Shirley Jones was one of those who received an award. She has been organiser of the Poppy Appeal in Horton, Coate, Little Horton and Bishops Cannings for 30 years.

She said: "It's nice to give something back. My son and father in law were in the Navy."

To volunteer to be a Poppy Appeal collector call Hazel at the county office on 01980 847752.