THIS year’s Poppy Appeal in the Newton Abbot area has raised more than £40,000.

A delighted Richard Underhill, chairman of the town’s Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal Organiser, thanked everyone who had made this possible.

He said: ‘This was another successful Poppy Appeal for Newton Abbot.

‘The Poppy represents all those who lost their lives on active service in all conflicts; from the beginning of the First World War right up to present day.

‘It also honours the contribution of civilian services and the uniformed services which contribute to national peace and security and acknowledges innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.

Mr Underhill said: ‘Now the dust has settled and everything is packed away for another year I would like to thank all the volunteers who collected in all weathers, those volunteers who worked on our static sites at Asda, Sainsbury’s, Trago and the Indoor Market, also the Poppy Co-ordinators from Bovey Tracey, Ipplepen, Abbotskerswell, Ogwell, Denbury, Kingskerswell and Broadhempston who help make our Poppy Appeal a success.

‘A great tam effort from everyone –again thank you.

‘A big thank you must go out to the public who supported this year’s appeal and very generously donated money.

‘ Together we have raised, so far, a magnificent £41,588.75 already exceeding last year’s total with money still trickling in.’