POPPY appeal collectors in a North Yorkshire town have raised more than £10,000 for the second year running.

Volunteers from the Richmond branch of the Royal British Legion collected £10,069 during the two-week appeal last month.

David Johnson, appeal organiser, said: "It's a credit to all concerned in Richmond that in just two weeks, in which there was bad weather on one Saturday, we raised more than £10,000 to aid those who have served their country and are now in need of our help.

"Richmond has few major outlets for collectors and it is the spirit and teamwork, with the likes of our veterans in their 80s, Roy Tyler and Andy Muckle, who set the tone for this worthy annual collection, which encourages us to work hard.

"From £3,800 to more than £10,000 in six years is a credit to every member and helper with the poppy appeal."

The money was raised as follows: Collection tins - £6,954; wreaths - £1,127; church collection - £590; coffee morning - £422; donations, £419 - enamel poppy badges, £550.

Individual collections include: Co-op stall, Andy Muckle - £1,016; market stall, Roland Bramham - £705; Army Cadet Force - £675; top collector - Moira White, £417; top Richmond pub, The Fleece - £237; top Richmond shop, Gilling Road Spar - £247; top Richmond hotel - The King's Head, £107; Brompton-on-Swale Village Store - £161; Richmond School - £159 and Ken Warne Store - £117.

To join the Royal British Legion or help the appeal, call Mr Johnson on 01748-826452.

* POPPY appeals in the Northallerton area have raised more than £14,000.

The Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corp, Northallerton Lionesses and the Royal British Legion women's section carried out a street collection that raised £3,017.61.

Static boxes in shops and other establishments collected £6,470.90 and a house to house collection raised £1,077.56. The remainder was raised through church donations, branch donations, wreaths and other events.

Organisers thanked everyone who helped raise the funds. Anyone interested in helping next year's collection is asked to contact John Hutchinson on 01609-770977.