THE Crediton Branch of the Royal British Legion are delighted to announce that their Poppy Day collections at the Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks this year produced a record total for donations with the final figure totalling £2,539.37, £1,000 up on last years figure.

John Shaw, Crediton RBL branch chairman, could not have been more happy with the surprising total.

He said: "Once again Tesco customers, both young and old, proved to be most generous and kind.

"With so much strain on limited finances and many worthwhile charities vying for a share of donations to do their good work, it is very uplifting for us to know that the work that we do is held in such high regard by the public."

The collections at the store were taken from October 25 through to November 8 from 9am to 6pm, organised by John Higgs, branch vice chairman who relies on volunteers ensuring a continuous manning of the stand throughout the collection.

Mr Shaw continued: "My heartfelt thanks go out to the people that helped make this amount possible.

"They braved the cold conditions but all the time maintained a happy disposition and interacted with the customers as they made their donations. Thank you to each and every one of you."

Andrew Drayton, the Crediton Tesco Community Champion, who liaised with the group to arrange days and times, was equally delighted at the success of the collection campaign.

He explained: "I have said, on many occasions and for many different events, that the generosity of Crediton Tesco customers is something to behold.

"To have set a record for the British Legion, in these still difficult financial times, with Christmas around the corner is truly amazing and the store is very proud of them."

Mr Shaw finished by repeating his thanks; "I'd like to thank Crediton Tesco staff for their help in making this possible and to every person who contributed, whatever the amount; thank you so much, we could not be happier with what you have done for us."