An annual appeal to support British serving and ex-serving men and women in the armed forces has launched across Suffolk this weekend.

Veterans, residents and electorates gathered to launch the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe.

In Ipswich, British Legion members joined mayor Bill Quinton in launching the appeal outside the Town Hall, as well as opening a Poppy Appeal shop, selling items including poppy bags and glasses along with the traditional badges and pins, in Tower Ramparts on Saturday.

Mr Quinton said: “Last year, Ipswich raised more than £61,000 for the Poppy Appeal, and this year we want to raise even more.

“Please help us by giving generously for your poppy this year – and wear it with pride.

“It’s an honour to open the Poppy appeal shop, and to open the Poppy Appeal is an honour, it really is.

“As soon as I cut the ribbon to open the shop people just flocked in.

“These people made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”

The appeal started with a donation of £1,200 from the Trianon Music Group.

In Woodbridge, six Standards, veterans, and the Leiston British legion band were accompanied by the town’s air cadets, as they paraded through the Thoroughfare.

Branch secretary and Woodbridge Standard Bearer Steve Lockwood said: “It went very well, it was nice and sunny.

“There were lots of people there.

“Town mayor Geoff Holdcroft gave a speech, as did British Legion branch president Peter Taverner.

“We played the national anthem, which the public stopped and respected.

“It was a very good start to our appeal.”

And in Felixstowe, mayor Graham Newman met with British Legion motorbike riders, as the coastal town’s parade featured an armoured vehicle, an American army vehicle, and army and navy cadets.

Poppy area organiser Donald Bones said: “It was excellent, we had a very good day.

“The sea cadets collected for us in the town while we had collections in Morrisons, Solar and Lidl. We thank them all because their work is appreciated.

“It was very busy, which was good. From now on we’ll be operating from the caravan opposite Felixstowe Library.

“We’re very pleased with the start of the appeal and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks being very successful and hopefully beating the target.

“A big thank-you to all the volunteers. We wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

For more information on the Poppy Appeal and the British Legion, including on how to join and donate, visit www.britishlegion.org.uk