The annual poppy appeal was launched in Bicester at the weekend.

The launch event was held on Saturday (October 26) on Sheep Street.

Chairman of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Bicester branch, Brian Leach, said: "So far it’s going well, hopefully it continues to go well.

“Hopefully we can do better than last year. As always people are very generous and very supportive.”

The event was supported by Steve Carter, a member of the RBL, who brought along three of his WWII vehicles.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire Poppy Appeal launch event cancelled for 2024

"They attract people in, which is always good," said Mr Leach. 

“They certainly get people talking and get some interest, children love seeing the old vehicles.”

The vehicles at the launch event (Image: Brian Leach) Mr Leach, aged 56, has been chairman of the branch for around six years.

He said he wanted to give back to the RBL after he lost his career following an injury in the army in 2004. 

He said the charity, which provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families, stepped in to help him.

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The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion's (RBL) biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November during the period of Remembrance.

Last year Bicester's Poppy Appeal raised more than £70,000.

This year the Oxfordshire county launch event was cancelled due to "operational requirements", however there will still be a host of Remembrance parades across the county and each town and village will still have their own Poppy Appeal.