EVERY DAY over Poppy Fortnight John Phillips has been selling poppies in Callington's Tesco for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal, as he does every year — except this year the smartly turned out Korean war veteran was on the receiving end of a surprise arranged by friends and colleagues in the Callington branch of the legion.

John was presented with a complimentary bottle of port from Tesco for his work with the appeal.

Typically the tireless Callington legion president used an enforced spell in a wheelchair this year after breaking his leg to design and produce a limited edition Cornish Legion badge for this year's appeal.

'They are selling so well we've almost run out of them already!' said John, who moved back to his native Cornwall from Derbyshire five years ago. 'I don't look for rewards, I just get on and do things. The Poppy Appeal is only for two weeks a year, and I just try to help out.'

Fellow Legion member Alan 'Jack' Frost said: 'This man is a gentleman. He welcomes everybody and he has organised a lot for the legion. Even when he broke his leg, he attended every meeting. He deserves every praise.'