ORGANISERS of the Kingswinford poppy appeal have thanked those who gave generously to help raise £36,264 for the branch.

The money was raised through donations and poppy sales in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

Fred Gorman, honorary branch secretary of Kingswinford Royal British Legion, said: "We do rather well. The generosity of the general public is phenomenal - it really is, and a lot of people have given up a lot of their time."

He said 2012 proved a record-breaking year for the poppy appeal, with the amount collected topping £39,000.

But he added: "We've still got money coming in so hopefully in the fullness of time we'll beat that record."

Bob Townsend, poppy appeal organiser, said: "We are very grateful to the many individuals in the branch, women's section and Kingswinford RBL Club members who gave so generously of their time to make this year's appeal such a success."

He also thanked village schools which supported the cause and Kingswinford businesses - particularly Morrisons and the Co-op, churches, cadet groups, scouts, cubs and brownies for their "enthusiastic and generous support".

The appeal has also been boosted by the branch's 2013 poppy appeal walk, held on September 22, which raised £1,939.65.