A POLICE car has been decorated with poppies ahead of Remembrance Day.

The marked vehicle will be on patrol in North Dorset for three weeks from Monday.

Officers will support events in Bournemouth, Wimborne, Blandford, Gillingham, Sherborne and West Dorset by laying wreaths.

Money raised in Dorset will go towards the Royal British Legion’s record national fundraising target of £47 million.

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Fielding said: “We received hundreds of supportive comments about our poppy car last year and I am pleased that we are yet again able to show our support of the armed forces in such a public way.

“We hope that the car will encourage people to go out and buy a poppy ahead of this year’s Remembrance Day and actively engage with the Royal British Legion’s campaign.”

Ian Jarvis, the Legion’s community fundraiser for Dorset, said: “We’re delighted that Dorset Police has once again chosen to support the Legion in this very proud and visual way.

“We hope that the sight of the car will encourage the public to recognise the service and sacrifices made across all generations of the British armed forces by donating to our appeal.

“By wearing a poppy you are supporting the armed forces community both past and present. This year we are asking the public to ‘rethink remembrance’ and reflect on the contribution made by all generations of servicemen and women.

“All funds raised through the Poppy Appeal goes directly to our work providing support through life to anyone who is currently serving in the British armed forces, veterans, and their families.”

The Legion uses public donations to provide crisis grants, offer the children of armed forces' personnel adventure breaks, research the impact of blast injuries on the body, lobby the government on key issues and advise on benefits and money problems.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “This isn’t just about being proud of our past.

"Right now in Dorset, we have a community of vulnerable elderly war veterans and younger war veterans, some of whom are homeless, sleeping rough on our streets and suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The poppy car symbolises Dorset Police’s commitment to safeguarding those with complex needs. We haven’t forgotten their sacrifice and my office continues to work very closely with partner organisations to tackle these issues.”