Eastleigh mayor Jane Welsh helped to launch this year's Poppy Appeal fortnight in the Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford area by attending a simple service at the town's war memorial in the Leigh Road recreation ground.

The mayor was among a select number of people who laid the first remembrance crosses of 1999, ignoring gale force wind and rain.

She said: "I was pleased to take part in the very moving service to launch this year's Poppy Appeal in Eastleigh which I am hoping will be a huge success.

"I would like to thank all the volunteers who do the collections and I know that the Royal British Legion would be pleased to hear from more volunteers."

The ceremony of planting the first crosses traditionally launches the appeal organised by the Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford and District branch of the Royal British Legion.

Branch president Norman Brown said this year it was hoping to better last 1998's figure of £24,855. He said: "There are about 400 boxes out altogether and we are manning Asda, both Safeway stores in the area and the Swan Centre. We are hoping for a bumper yield."

The branch has a membership of 161 and meets on the first Monday of every month at Eastleigh Working Men's Club.

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