A WOMAN who has been selling poppies since the Second World War has once again launched an annual appeal in her hometown.

Vera Parnaby, from Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, has been raising money for the Royal British Legion for over 70 years after starting as a little girl with her mother.

Her father, George, died during the war and she began a lifetime of devoted service, helping ex-servicemen and women and their families.

Despite turning 76, she is still the poppy appeal organiser from the legion’s Consett branch.

Mrs Parnaby said: “We hope that people in Consett are generous and we can raise more than the £25,000 we raised last year.

“The forces are still involved in various places and are still coming back in need of help. It is important that we do as much as possible to help these people that are doing a job for their country.”

The appeal was launched by Mrs Parnaby and North West Durham MP Pat Glass, who president of the branch’s women’s section, as well as the section’s chairman Hilda Selby, on Saturday at Christ Church in Consett.

Mrs Glass said: “I am really honoured to launch the poppy appeal in Consett for this year.

“So many of the things we take for granted like free speech, the right to demonstrate and the ability to do as we please within the confines of the law have been hard fought for and hard won by those who fought for us in the past.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to these people. I would like to thank the volunteers who give time so generously and also to members of the public who donate so generously. Let's make this the best poppy appeal yet, it is a very worthy cause."

A Festival of Remembrance, which was resurrected by Mrs Parnaby in 1984, is being held at the Empire Theatre in Consett on Friday at 7pm.

It features performances from the junior section of Consett Brass and Spotlight Community Theatre Productions which is doing a play set in the Second World War young members have researched and written. Tickets cost £6 and can be booked by calling 01207-218171.

A remembrance service will be held at Christ Church on Sunday, November 8 9.45am ahead of a procession to war memorial on Medomsley Road at 11am.