BAGPIPER Graham Neil played stirring tunes for commuters to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Mr Neil, 74, who runs The Grange B&B in Long Wittenham, near Didcot, is used to getting up early to serve his guests breakfast.

So he had no problem piping out tunes from 7am to 8am for commuters on platform two at Didcot Parkway last Thursday.

A member of the Oxford Pipe Band, Mr Neil, who spent 12 years in the Army, is originally from Stirlingshire in Scotland. He said: “I play Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland to encourage passengers to give generously to the Poppy Appeal, which is a very good cause.

“I was a Seaforth Highlander before I joined the Honourable Artillery Company.”

Keith Hughes, chairman of the Didcot branch of the RBL, said: “We are delighted that Mr Neil has agreed to come along and play his bagpipes to help raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.”

Drummer Ben Lawson, 68, from East Hagbourne, joined Mr Neil’s fundraising stint.