Three Bridport residents who between them have raised a staggering £200,000 have been honoured by a charity for their fundraising efforts.

With almost 30 years of service between them, Richard and Hilary Cunningham and Peter Jennings have worked tirelessly fundraising for the Royal British Legion (RBL), particularly collecting for the Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Day each November.

They were presented with RBL Certificates of Appreciation and lapel badges by Mike Thompson the RBL Membership Secretary and Poppy Appeal Organiser on behalf of the Bridport branch.

Retired senior Army officers Richard and Hilary, from Shipton Gorge, and senior NCO Peter Jennings, previously of Bridport, have a combined 30 years between them and are estimated to have raised £200,000.

Peter - who has been volunteering with the charity for nearly 20 years - recently relocated to Dorchester to be closer to his family.

He said: "Along with Richard and Hilary it was an honour to collect for such a worthy cause."

Richard Cunningham said: "We were quite surprised. I have been the appeal organiser for two areas now including Bridport. Hillary also took up the position.

"It is an honour to receive certificates.

"Being the poppy appeal organiser for Bridport is a huge job. There are an awful lot of people involved in running the appeal and it cannot happen without their support.

"It is a team effort and its a huge honour to be put forward for this certificate."

Mike Thompson said: "On behalf of the Bridport Royal British Legion I would like to thank them for all their work over the years.

"If it wasn't for volunteers the appeal wouldn't happen."

The Poppy Appeal is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Royal British Legion.

It takes place in the build-up to Remembrance Day on November 11. The plastic poppies are sold for a minimum of £1, which is put towards supporting serving and ex-serving men and women, and their families. People will then wear those poppies as a sign of remembrance.