More than £20,000 has been raised through the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal in Bridport this year. 

Donations and collection for Bridport and West Bay currently stands at £20,839, beating last year's total of £20,057 and more donations are still to be counted.

With another impressive collection for the town, the branch has payed tribute to the residents of Bridport and the many visitors for their generosity during the recent 2024 RBL Poppy Appeal.

Mike Thompson, who is the Poppy Appeal organiser for Bridport has thanked all the volunteers and collectors who contributed to an 'unbelievable effort'.

He offered a special mention to several volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making this year's collection a new record.

Lisa Cadman and Sam Foote at Morrisons who provided support for 17 days where collections totalled £10,473.

A pupil helping with collections at a supermarket in Bridport A pupil helping with collections at a supermarket in Bridport (Image: Mike Thompson)

The Bridport Royal British Legion President Brigadier John Dean and Bill Davies from RAFA who co-ordinated the collections points at Waitrose and all local businesses. 

Linda Bullock, the branch chairperson, and Bill Davies who organised the street collections along with a band of volunteers and raised £2,256.

Linda Larcombe from the Ladies section of the RBL also raised £486 at the Co-op supermarket.

He also thanked all of the local schools, which had education poppy boxes and conducted Remembrance lessons for the students in the lead up to Armistice Day on November 11.

The Bridport Royal British Legion also led the parade through the streets of the town on Remembrance Sunday

Mike, who served in the Royal Navy for 22 years said: "I would like thank all the volunteer collectors too many to mention for giving up their time who contributed to an outstanding effort.

The final figure will be published on social media when all donations have been received.

In February the Bridport branch of the Royal British Legion was recognised at the Legion's county conference after its donations soared by 30 per cent from 2022.

The branch picked up the Best Small Branch shield from the county president Commodore Richard Bridges.

The RBL has a total of 30 branches across the county from Lyme Regis to Gillingham with around 7000 members.