A RECORD amount of money was raised in Huddersfield during this year's Poppy Appeal.

The Huddersfield Royal British Legion says it raised £32,320 by selling poppies during the run-up to Remembrance Day, November 11.

It is the most the branch has ever made and all the money goes towards helping former and serving members of the forces who are in need.

Branch president John West said: "We're really grateful.

"We'd like to thank everybody who responded so generously."

Poppies were sold in venues such as banks, cafes, churches, factories, hairdressers, hospitals, council offices, post offices, pubs, schools, supermarkets, Huddersfield University, Huddersfield Town Hall and at many more places.

Volunteers also made additional collections at Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco stores in Huddersfield.

Other volunteers - including Sea, Air and Army cadets and volunteers from the Inland Revenue Valuation Office - collected house-to- house and on streets in the town centre.

Mr West said: "This has been a record collection for the Huddersfield branch.

"I wish to thank the people of Huddersfield for their generous donations and the many people who gave freely of their time to enable those to be collected."

Two remembrance services were held in Huddersfield to commemorate all those who have died in conflicts.

The first was in the Market Place in Huddersfield town centre on November 6.

It was attended by the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Margaret Fearnley, the Vicar of Huddersfield, the Rev Catherine Ogle, and the Huddersfield Royal British Legion padre, the Rev Jim Dearden.

The second was held on November 11 at the war memorial in Greenhead Park.

Elderly Huddersfield Royal British Legion members were taken to the service by a limousine, given for the day by Co-op Funeral Services.

* Mr West is appealing for a child who placed a present in a collection box by mistake to get in touch with him. He wants to return the gift.

He can be contacted at john.west5@ntlworld.com