Poppy collections started in Deal town centre on Saturday with members of 2nd Deal Sea Scouts, who rose to the challenge this year to help the Royal British Legion.

Mary Eldridge, the Poppy Appeal organiser for Deal and Walmer, contacted the group with a request to give the charity a helping hand and was pleased at the response.

Steve Noddings, assistant Scout leader at 2nd Deal Sea Scouts, said: “It is a great honour and privilege for our Scout group to be able to assist the Royal British Legion with this year’s Poppy appeal. We are looking forward to supporting the British Legion for years to come in whatever way we can.

“We obviously accepted this invitation and started by the Scouts putting together the boxes and loaded them with the Poppies. The group were also invited to take part on Saturday by selling poppies in the town.

“The 13 Sea Scouts did very well and there were some good comments from the public. The Scouts enjoyed their involvement and their time supporting the Royal British Legion.”

* For more details about Poppy sellers and to read about a National Service veteran from Walmer, read the East Kent Mercury on Thursday.