THE Poppy Appeal in the Richmond area raised its best ever total in 2008.

The Royal British Legion has reported it raised £16,986. The figure is 36 per cent up on last year - which was also a record - and more donations are still to come in.

Area organiser David Johnson said: “The results for Richmond and the surrounding area are truly outstanding and reflect just how people feel about this worthy cause.

“Not only do we remember and respect the memory of those names on the war memorials but we care about our servicemen and women today who risk their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq and our collection success is a special message of support.”