OSCAR-WINNING writer Julian Kitchener-Fellowes launched Dorset's 2007 Poppy Appeal with a stirring speech in Poole on Friday.

Dignitaries, including the Mayor and Sheriff of Poole, and members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) gathered in Falkland Square. The location had been specially chosen as 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

Mr Kitchener-Fellowes, who won his Academy Award for his screenplay of Gosford Park, read In Flanders Field and was followed by pupils from Turlin Moor Community Middle School with the poem The Victory Emblem.

He went on to talk about the importance of the annual appeal and the crucial role it plays in the lives of servicemen and ex-servicemen.

This year's Poppy Appeal aims to raise £27.5 million. In Dorset alone last year, the RBL helped 585 cases, spending nearly £500,000.

Howard Fairman, Dorset's county field officer, said: "Ten million people are eligible for our help, which is one in six of the population. That is a fairly staggering figure."