A SHOPPING centre has apologised after cadets collecting for the Poppy Appeal were asked to leave its premises.

The two teenage cadets were part of a group who gave up their Saturday to hold tins to raise money for injured soldiers, as part of the Royal British Legion’s annual fundraising campaign.

The keen youngsters were given instructions to stay around Durham Market Place, where a stall had also been erected.

But it was when they strayed into an open-air street which falls within the Prince Bishops shopping centre precinct that they were asked to leave.

The incident happened last Saturday afternoon.

Trevor Coppock, a 74-yearold former submariner who was also part of the collecting team, said many of those taking part were disgusted at the move.

“It’s not as if they were playing guitars or begging. They weren’t even shaking tins.

“People are coming back from war zones without arms and legs and getting killed, and the Royal British Legion has been involved in this campaign for many years.”

Mr Coppock, who spent 11 years in the Royal Navy during the Cold War, added: “I would like to see them say sorry and instruct their staff that the Poppy Appeal should be an exception.”

After The Northern Echo raised the issue with the Prince Bishops shopping centre, a spokeswoman apologised and said that Poppy Appeal volunteers would be allowed to collect for the cause when they return to Durham city centre this Saturday.

She said: “In the past, they have always been welcome to come into the mall and they will be welcome this weekend.

They have done it here for years.

“I’m sorry – we just don’t know what happened.”

Speaking after the apology was issued, Mr Coppock said: “I’m very pleased that has happened, especially with the news that’s come through this morning [of five British soldiers being shot dead by an Afghan policeman].”