POPPY sellers have paid tribute to charity givers after their appeal topped £45,000, beating last year's total.

The amount raised by the Royal British Legion's annual street collections, poppy sales and house-to-house collections in York beats the £43,781 given in 2005.

The chairman of the local branch, John Lebbon, said: "We were extremely pleased. Some people think that a lot of what goes in the poppy box goes on administration, but that is not the case.

"Every penny that goes in the tin the British Legion spends on welfare."