WAR veterans joined councillors and volunteers for the launch of Bournemouth’s Poppy Appeal yesterday.

The mayor, Cllr Chris Mayne, purchased the first Poppy of this year’s British Legion campaign at 11am on the steps of the town hall before heading to the Mayor’s Parlour for a tea party.

Veterans from World War II, three serving soldiers from Bovington Camp and Poppy sellers were among those invited to mark the occasion.

The event’s organiser, Cllr Anne Rey, said she was optimistic that this year’s fundraising total could surpass the £605,000 accumulated across Dorset in 2013.

“It was a great opportunity for us to say thank you to everybody who has helped us, as well as to launch this year’s appeal,” she added.

“It went very well, the weather held out and it was lovely to see all the veterans.”

She also praised Cllr David Kelsey for baking a special Poppy cake, pictured, for the group to enjoy.

George Gowers, who served in RAF 60 Squadron during the Borneo campaign in 1945, said he was honoured to have been invited and never wants people to forget the sacrifices made by so many. “I am so pleased to see there are so many young people showing interest – particularly in the First World War, which was particularly awful,” he added.

“My father was in the Dorset Regiment and was captured. He had been through the Somme, Verdun – all the big battles. He served 11 months as a prisoner of war picking potatoes and living on potato peels.

“I also had an uncle who lost an eye and another uncle captured.”

Corporal William Roberts travelled from Bovington Camp with two new recruits for the occasion.

He said: “It is nice to be here and an excellent opportunity for the younger men to speak to the veterans and understand what it is all about.”