ORGANISERS of the annual poppy appeal are hoping to beat last year's £25,000 total. Around 20 Royal British Legion volunteers will be collecting for the appeal around Blackburn, including a stand in Victoria Square until November 9.

The Mayor of Blackburn, Councillor Tony Humphrys, who served in the army for more than 15 years said the appeal was as important as ever.

"The poppy appeal will always have personal significance for me but it is also essential to keep the memory of war alive in young people's minds" he said.

The Remembrance Day parade will be marked by a two minute silence on the steps of Blackburn Town Hall.