BOURNEMOUTH'S mayor gave a cocktail party for poppy appeal organisers as a thank you for their hard work in co-ordinating the annual fund raising day for ex-service personnel.

Cllr Anne Filer held the drinks party in the mayor's parlour to give personal thanks for the efforts of those who refuse to forget the sacrifices of servicemen and women and their families.

Cllr Filer said it was only proper that the town recognised the efforts of people who had served during the world wars and were still doing so now.

And the mayor said the appeal was as relevant today as it had been after World War Two.

"We tend to think of ex-servicemen as elderly chaps, but with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan there are young soldiers who need our help," she said.

The Dail Echo launched a call recently for Poppy Appeal volunteers and Cllr Anne Rey, a fundraising co-ordinator, said she was still receiving calls a week later. "The response has been fantastic," says Cllr Rey.

The Throop and Muscliff councillor began collecting for the British Legion 34 years ago. "I started collecting with my mother when she was alive. I don't know where the time goes," she said.

Cllr Rey was presented with the George Hawkins Trophy in Blandford in January for increasing the collection in Bournemouth arcade by more than 116 per cent in 2005.

Volunteers for any area are still welcome and can contact Cllr Rey on 01202 538068, or on 07973 814382. Poppy sellers can also email anne.rey@bournemouth. gov.uk.