HATHERLEIGH and Iddesleigh branches of the Royal British Legion held an awards lunch last Wednesday to salute the long service of its Poppy Appeal collectors.

To mark the occasion, Mrs Ann Jones, secretary of Devon County Royal British Legion women?s section, made the presentations to members at the lunch at Hatherleigh Bowling Club.

Mrs Jones paid tribute to the many years? service to the Poppy Appeal given by members of both the Hatherleigh and Iddesleigh branches.

Mrs Judith Rougier, Poppy Appeal organiser for Hatherleigh, said: ?Those receiving awards today have given well over 400 years service to the Poppy Appeal.

?These awards are fitting recognition of their devotion to and support of the Royal British Legion in its continuing need. We are all tremendously grateful to them.?

The full list of those who received awards was: Hatherleigh branch ? Roy Gard (president), total of 39 years? service, received 30 years? long service medal and 35-year bar; Kenneth Charlton, 28 years, received 25-year merit award; Mrs Rennie Searle, 22 years, 20-year badge; Mrs Lillian Ellacott, 22 years, 20-year badge; Mrs Dolly Netherway, 21 years, 20-year badge; Mrs Margaret Reynolds, 21 years, 20-year badge; Mr Norman Lacey, 20 years, 20-year badge; Mrs Olive Reynolds, 17 years, 15-year badge; Mrs Judith Rougier, 15 years, 15-year badge; Mrs Mary Sanders, 10 years, 10-year certificate; Mrs Sylvia Smith, 8 years, 5-year certificate.

Iddesleigh branch ? Mrs Joan Weeks, total of 60 years? service, received 60-year bar; Mrs Alma Curtis, 54 years, 50-year bar; Mrs Mary Cox, 40 years, 40-year bar and Mrs Aldis, 35 years, 35-year bar.