POPPY collections have been cancelled in Bournemouth town centre on the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War because no one has volunteered to organise the fundraising.

The Royal British Legion has been campaigning since the summer to find someone to replace the town centre collection organiser, who quit last year due to ill health.

But nobody has come forward, so Tom and Olive Hibbert, an elderly couple who faithfully spend two weeks collecting at Asda every year, will be the only Legion collectors in the centre of Bournemouth.

Howard Fairman, the Legion's Dorset co-ordinator, said the lack of an organiser means no other volunteers will be able to collect in the central shopping area, and there will be no boxes of poppies in the shops there.

It is too late to become an organiser this year - but anyone who can help next year should call the Legion on 01202 480805.

The volunteer shortage has also affected other areas, with two area organisers taking on responsibility for extra parts of the town to make sure they are covered.

Cllr Michael Everingham, who served in the army's Black Watch during the Korean War, said: "It's shameful when you consider what the men they are raising money for have done in the past.

"It's sad that nobody seems to give this sort of thing much thought unless they are personally affected.

"The whole of Bourne-mouth could produce an awful lot for us if we had someone who had time to sort it all out," he said.

He added there will still be collections elsewhere across the county, calling the dedicated organisers who have taken on extra responsibilities "absolutely wonderful".

Chris Moore takes two weeks off work a year to organise collections in Winton and Wallisdown, and has now also taken on a large area of North Bourne-mouth. He said this involves a lot of work - ordering the poppies, volunteers and making sure the money gets to the right place - but has enjoyed it enough to keep up the role for six years.

He said. "Last year, we collected £12,000 in our area. I've got old guys who raise £1,000 on their own."

Last year, the Iraq war raised the Legion's profile, and collections made £456,000 in Dorset. The Legion distributed more than £411,000 to 500 people in the county. Some 10 million people across the UK are eligible for Legion funds.

First published: October 25