Angry veterans have condemned the decision to halt Saturday’s town centre Poppy collection in Deal, which could hit this year’s takings.

The district council move was described as mean, crazy and thoughtless by Royal British Legion supporters.

Phyllis Eames, appeal organiser for Deal and Walmer, said Saturdays leading up to Remembrance Sunday were traditionally busy days for collecting in the town centre.

She added: “For about 18 years we have had a stall outside St George’s Church for two Saturdays, but this year the district council told us we couldn’t.

“I was told by a council officer that last year’s permit was issued in error, which annoyed me.”

She said that more than £1,000 was collected in the town centre on the penultimate Saturday before the 2007 Remembrance Sunday, so she feared this year’s total would fall.

RAF veteran David Payne, a seller on Monday outside St George’s, said: “Every day of poppy selling that we lose is a loss to the Royal British Legion, which does such a great job.

“On this occasion the council has been thoughtless.”

Co-seller Christina Wort, whose husband was a Royal Marine, added her dismay.

She said: “The district council has been mean.”

A district council spokesman said: “The organisers of this collection were advised to ask the British Legion to contact us and seek an amendment of dates, and we would have been happy to allow that amendment. We cannot break the law and allow collections unless authorised by the British Legion.”