A ROW has broken out over a wreath of poppies being laid at Dorchester's German War Memorial on Remembrance Day.

Dorchester Mayor Wally Gundry was pictured with the wreath in the Dorset Echo, prompting complaints from 'disgusted' local members of the Royal British Legion.

They claim the poppy is a British symbol and should not be used to mark German dead.

But Coun Gundry said: "If we've offended anyone, obviously we apologise for that.

"I can't really comment on the Royal British Legion's views, as that's their argument, but I would say now is the time for reconciliation and not continuing the fight."

Sue Wakely, local Poppy Appeal organiser, said: "Normally a wreath of fresh flowers is laid at the memorial in Fordington on Remembrance Sunday.

"But this year, a wreath of poppies has been used and that's upset quite a few people who feel that poppies are a British symbol.

"But I'm sure it was just an oversight."

Ray Voss, chairman of Dorchester's Royal British Legion, said: "I'm really disgusted.

"The poppy is the emblem of the British Legion and is to remember British ex-servicemen.

"We don't mind them having the service there, though we'd prefer it on another day, but this is really rubbing salt in the wound."

Asked whether he thought it was time to forget the past conflicts, Mr Voss replied: "One of our committee went to work in a workshop in Germany about seven years ago.

"At 11 o'clock on November 11, all the mechanics began hitting their tools against anything they could find, and created an absolute racket. After several minutes, they stopped and carried on as normal. Compared to that, I don't think it's wrong for us to complain about a poppy wreath."

Dorchester Town Council is responsible for providing the wreaths and town clerk Dennis Holmes said today: "Firstly, we regret any offence caused.

"A poppy wreath was laid last year with no similar repercussions and I wasn't aware that it's customary to place fresh flowers in circumstances like that.

"There is the added advantage to the Poppy Appeal if we pay for poppy wreaths, but we wouldn't want to upset anybody."