Eastleigh'S first citizen will remember those fallen in war today when he lays the first cross at the town's war memorial to launch the borough's Poppy Appeal.

The afternoon ceremony in the Leigh Road recreation ground begins a week of events for Mayor Peter Humphreys.

On Wednesday, Mr Humphreys will be accompanied by deputy mayor Maureen Sollitt to the chief executive's office for a council briefing. The mayor will then attend an evening meeting at West End's parish centre.

On Thursday, the mayor and mayoress have invited members of the Old Gosportians (Eastleigh) Association to the mayor's parlour to present them with Millennium Awards for All funding. In the evening, Mr Humprheys will chair a meeting of the full council.

Friday will see the mayor attend the In Touch forum for the borough's young people. He attends the Festival of Remembrance at The Point in the evening.

Saturday night should provide a spectacular end to the week's duties with a firework display at Crestwood School - attended by the deputy mayor and escort.

Mr Humphreys and the mayoress will attend a later display at West End's Hatch Grange.