GENEROUS East Lancashire folk have been congratulated by British Legion volunteers after helping break last year's Poppy Appeal total.

More than £25,000 was collected by 20 volunteers in ten days -- an increase of £1,000 on last year's figure.

And the money can now be put into the national pot to be redistributed to all ex-servicemen in need.

Brian Barnes, appeal co-ordinator, said: "We have to say a huge thank you to everybody who helped out and of course to the generous people who gave money.

"This was my first year running the appeal and I have been given a tremendous amount of support.

"The money now goes into the benevolent fund for ex-servicemen and their families to help anyone in any way they need.

"It is as worthwhile now as ever and I think the fundraising total reflects that people have not forgotten how important the British Legion still is."

The Royal British Legion volunteers collected for the appeal around Blackburn, including a stand in Victoria Square and in local supermarkets.

The Mayor of Blackburn, Councillor Tony Humphrys, who served in the army for more than 15 years, gave the appeal his full backing.

He said: "The Poppy Appeal will always have personal significance for me but it is also essential to keep the memory of war alive in young people's minds."

The appeal runs for ten days in November to correspond with Remembrance Day. Volunteers are determined to continue their success and vow to raise even more next year.