Big-hearted Baildon residents have smashed their record for donations to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Tins and boxes around the town were generously filled with £7,450 during the three-week collection, said the appeals local organiser and ward Councillor Roger L’Amie.

“The generous nature of Baildon people has showed itself at a time when money is not flush. This year we broke the record by some £400,” said Coun L’Amie, who has run the annual appeal for the last three years.

“They’ve dug deep in their pockets to support the British Legions in all the work it does with former soldiers.

“I think in the last five or six years the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought it home – particularly with people who may have family or friends who have served over there.

“Also the sight of processions bringing home bodies to Royal Wootton Bassett has undoubtedly had an effect.

“People are very aware of what the British Legion does because medical improvements mean many more soldiers are surviving with horrific injuries, whereas in the first and Second World War they would have just died.

“I sometimes wonder if the First World War would have gone on so long if people had seen film of all the bodies in the trenches.”

Meanwhile, Coun L’Amie (Con, Baildon) will start the New Year preparing for his role as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it and hope to bring a bit of gravitas and approachability while working with the Lord Mayor Elect Councillor Mike Gibbons.

“The role starts after the council annual meeting and I’m having a meeting next week to find out all that the job entails.”