FOR nearly 50 years Francis Gillard has been collecting for the RBL Poppy Appeal in and around Spreyton.  And is still doing so.

Francis has lived in Spreyton for most of his life and was a member of Bow branch of the Legion until it folded.

For years he drove around the area in October and November, collecting for the poppies from people from Whiddon Down to Colebrooke, East Nymph, Itton and around.

For a long time Janet Leonard had helped him, she has now taken that round over while Francis still collects in Spreyton.

“In my heyday I would collect around £700 each year,” he said.