THERE will be Poppy collections in Bournemouth town centre after all thanks to the kind-hearted volunteers who have stepped forward to support the Royal British Legion.

Within hours of the Daily Echo revealing yesterday that a lack of volunteers had forced the cancellation of town centre collections, the legion was contacted with several offers of help.

A former Poole poppy collection organiser has offered to deliver 30-plus boxes of poppies to collection points across the town centre. And Independent Cllr Anne Rey, a poppy seller for 32 years, has pledged to help by running a stall at a Bournemouth arcade for one week in November, with the help of fellow her Bournemouth Lions.

She is also appealing to the town's other 53 councillors to each give up one hour of their time to boost the appeal.

She said: "If they all just gave an hour, that would be 54 hours.

"I am also urging any residents that could spare an hour or two to contact me at home or on my mobile. We're looking to man a stall at The Arcade between 10am and 5pm from Saturday, November 5 to Saturday, November 12.

"Any help would be gratefully appreciated."

The 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. Howard Fairman, the legion's Dorset co-ordinator, said: "It's great news that we're okay for this year now and I would like to thank the Echo because it is your coverage that's done it.

"But we still need to find a collection organiser for next year and anyone that can help should contact me."

Anyone who can help Cllr Rey man the stall at The Arcade, which leads from Beales to Westover Road, should contact her on 538068 or 07973 814382. If you can help the Legion next year, contact Mr Fairman on 01258 480805.