AN RAF veteran and the Mayor of Bournemouth launched this year’s poppy appeal in Bournemouth Town Centre.

Madam Mayor Cllr Susan Philips was joined by Named Retired RAF Officer Philip Pring, from Springbourne, to official announce the start of fundraising efforts in the town.

Philip Pring served in the RAF for 35 years, during which time he was stationed all over the world and earned numerous medals for his service. He has been selling poppies in Bournemouth Town Centre and ASDA in Lansdowne for nearly 20 years.

Cllr David Kelsey, Armed Forces Champion for the BCP Council, said: “Last year was an exceptional year, we raised £33,000 and that was just in the town centre and ASDA. We are expecting a little less this year because last year was the big 100-year anniversary.

“We have already started our fundraising efforts this year, and we raised around £2,000 over the weekend just gone.”