A PROCESSION of historic military vehicles drove through the centre of Wimborne to launch the town's poppy appeal.

Hundreds of people lined the streets on Saturday morning to watch the poignant annual tradition, which saw the mayor, Cllr Andy Hampton, paraded through the town on the back of an armoured vehicle flanked by military jeeps, lorries and a motorbike.

Once he had arrived at the square, he purchased the first Poppy of this year's appeal – which was sold to him by 18-year-old cadet sergeant Evie Irving.

The town crier, Chris Brown, then paid tribute to the war dead.

David Hoyle, remembrance coordinator at Wimborne British Legion, heaped praise on the Dorset Vehicle Enthusiasts for contributing to the event and said he is grateful to everybody involved.

“It is always very moving,” he added.

“We're really hoping everyone is going to back us again this year. Our work never stops. It is always ongoing.

“It was really brought home to us again four years ago when trooper Andrew Howarth, who was only 20, was killed in Afghanistan - it is still very fresh in all of our minds.

“It is so important that we remember all of our fallen servicemen. We had 164 Wimborne fatalities during World War I.”

The Wimborne branch of the Royal British Legion raised more than £14,000 from its poppy appeal last year and in the build up to Remembrance Sunday its dedicated team of street collectors and house visitors will unite in a bid to better that total.