HISTORIC military vehicles will be seen around the centre of Wimborne on Saturday to launch the local Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal for this year.

With Remembrance Sunday only some three weeks away, the event at the weekend will mark the start of poppies going on sale in the town to the general public.

The deputy mayor of Wimborne, Cllr Robin Cook, is due to be travelling on the convoy of military vehicles when it arrives in the Square and will then dismount to buy the first poppy.

"The annual Poppy Appeal during the weeks before Remembrance Sunday is the most important fundraiser for the Royal British Legion's welfare work," said a legion spokesman.

"Since the start of the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 252 British military personnel have been killed in action. Aero-medical evacuation to hospitals in the UK total 1,802. Very seriously injured total 66 and seriously injured 95.

"The Royal British Legion works to help those casualties and their departments. Generous support for the Poppy Appeal each year makes that work possible."

The military vehicles are due to travel a circuit starting from Allenbourn School before arriving in the Square to a trumpet fanfare and the town crier, just before 11am.

Poppies will then be on sale from static points around the town in public houses and shops, and house to house sales will also be carried out.

Street collectors in the town centre on November 9 and 10 will be selling them.

This year the Wimborne Drama production of Journey's End at the Tivoli from October 31 to November 3 is a powerful reminder of why the legion exists.

Chris Brown from the drama group has invited the local legion to raise money for the Poppy Appeal through the production. Log on to thecovenant. org.uk or wimbornedrama.co.uk for more details.