THE Royal British Legion yesterday launched its poppy appeal in Hampshire.

Over the next ten days more than a million poppies are expected to be sold across the county in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, who lives in Alton, launched the annual appeal to support veterans and their dependants.

Mr Titchmarsh, who is Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, said he was proud and honoured to be a part of the event.

"Almost everybody in the country has some connection with the Poppy Appeal - I lost my great-uncle in the Great War," he said.

"The most important thing to remember is that it (the Poppy Appeal) is as important today as it ever was."

Hundreds of people - including civic leaders from across Hampshire, ex-servicemen, standard bearers, representatives of the Royal British Legion and shoppers, gathered in Festival Place, Basingstoke to mark the launch.

Hampshire's poppy appeal organiser Shane Hearn said it was important to remember those who fought for their country, not only during the two world wars, but up to the present day.

"In the current political climate the poppy appeal is particularly important.

"There has only been one year since the end of the Second World War where a British serviceman has not been killed on operational duty."

Mr Hearn hopes this year's appeal will top the £753,457 total raised across the county last year.

During the last 12 months the money has been spent across the county on disability aids such as stair lifts and bath hoists for ex-servicemen.

The charity has also supported veterans carrying out education and training courses and provided small business loans.

A service took place at the end of yesterday's poppy appeal launch followed by a lone bugler playing the Last Post and a two-minute silence. To conclude the event, Mr Titchmarsh presented poppies to the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan.