Over £17,000 has been raised for fallen soldiers following this year's Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion Epping and District Branch announced this week that the total raised, which is a new record this year, has already beaten previous year's collections with donations still being counted.

Local schools were presented with certificates after collectively raising £1,444.

Five-year-old Harry Byrne of Coopersale Hall School in Fluxs Lane, Epping, raised £100 by selling poppies knitted by his grandmother.

Other fundraisers included the Battle for Europe Group who raised £575, Marks &
Spencer with £340, Theydon Bois Bakery with £216, Boots with £207 and Smiths with £135.

House to house collections in Theydon Bois gathered £1,138 for the total and district street collections raised £4,561.

Poppy Appeal Organiser Kevin Toole said: “everyone has done a great job, and we look forward to their support next year."