ROYAL British Legion branches have thanked big-hearted members of the public in Kingswinford and Quarry Bank for giving generously to this year's Poppy Appeal.

The Kingswinford branch has raised £40.399.30 - topping last year's total by more than £200; and the Quarry Bank branch has coined in £21,006.68 to date.

Fred Gorman, honorary branch secretary of Kingswinford RBL, said: "It's another record. We broke records for the last four or five years and last year we thought it would be the peak when we raised over £40,000.

"We think the WWI centenary has really brought the Poppy Appeal into focus for the general public this year."

Bob Townsend, Kingswinford Poppy Appeal organiser, added: "We are very grateful to the many individuals, local schools, local businesses, churches, cadet forces, scouts, cubs and brownies for their enthusiastic and generous support in making this year's appeal such a success."

He also thanked those who took part in the branch's sponsored Poppy Walk in September which has raised £1,728 alone.

Meanwhile - Eric Homer, branch secretary for Quarry Bank Royal British Legion, praised people in Quarry Bank and Brierley Hill for their generous donations to this year's appeal, which he said was strongly supported by schools in the area.

Children at Brockmoor Primary School collected £340.69 and were named winners of the Daniel Probyn Memorial Shield, remembering 22-year-old Grenadier Guardsman Daniel Probyn who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, which is presented annually to the school raising the highest amount for the branch's poppy appeal.

While Thorns Primary School coined in £202.05 and scooped the Charles Scott Memorial Award - which remembers 86-year-old D-Day veteran, branch president and dedicated fundraiser Mr Scott who died in 2009.

Mr Homer said: "We've done really well. All schools in our area made a very big effort and collected more money than last year."