by Jenni Horn

Posters appealing for people to support this year's Poppy Appeal have been vandalised by anti-war protesters.

The billboards were defaced just days after the Royal British Legion launched the appeal which calls upon the public to honour the fallen and to care for injured veterans and their families by wearing a poppy.

The slogans on the campaign adverts should read 'For their sake, wear a poppy', but vandals have changed this to 'For their sake, prosecute Blair' and 'For their sake, bring 'em home'. It is thought at least two adverts have been targeted in Medway, including one in Balmoral Road, Gillingham.

Royal British Legion member Alan Collins, from Gillingham, expressed his anger at the tactics used by the protesters.

He said: "The whole point of the Poppy Appeal is to promote and finance support for servicemen who have fought bravely and professionally for our freedom. They fought, and in many cases, died to give us the freedom to protest, not to give us the freedom to commit criminal acts.

"The Poppy Appeal isn't about arguing about which wars are just and which should never have been entered into. It's about supporting and helping our servicemen and women for their bravery and professionalism.

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"The fact that these people have manipulated the Poppy Appeal campaign for their own political protest is, quite frankly, disgusting."

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said they were alerted to the damage on Wednesday morning.

She said: "We are treating it as an unauthorised artistic protest. All damaged posters will have been replaced by the end of the day on Wednesday."

Ch Supt Steve Corbishley, from Medway Police, said officers would be making enquiries into the incident.

He added: "At a time of year when we should all remember those who have given their lives in conflict I recognise the significant upset an incident such as this could cause.

"Whilst we support people's right to share their opinions this must be done in a legal, peaceful and respectful way."

• Anyone with information is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 891055