A WAR veterans' club is urging Teessiders to show their respect for the war dead by contributing to this year's Poppy Appeal.

The appeal is being launched tonight at the Royal British Legion Club in Middlesbrough, where the town's mayor, Councillor Kath Bevington, will be the first to buy a poppy. She will be joined by the Deputy Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Vilma Collins.

Marion Coles, the organisation's treasurer, said the appeal, which runs from October 29 to November 12, is the most important of its fundraising efforts.

"Its a very important event in our calendar and the money it raises is the most we get during the year," she said.

Mrs Coles urged people to support it, not least because of the number of modern servicemen it helps.

"People are normally very generous, but we would still urge them to support the appeal and also the services of remembrance," she said