More than £71,000 has been raised by volunteers from Bexleyheath and Welling as part of the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal.

A number of fundraising events were held over a two-week period to help raise funds which go towards supporting veterans and their families who are facing debt and emergency situations.

Vice-chairman of the Bexleyheath and Welling branch of the Royal British Legion, Danny Taylor, told News Shopper he was thankful to "all those who donated and also those who helped with the appeal."

Shoppers at Asda Bexleyheath donated a whopping £12,417 over the course of the poppy appeal, while various other stands in Bexleyheath town centre and at Morrisons and Tesco in Welling also helped towards the cause.

A lot of schools and businesses also had poppy collection pots.

Mr Taylor said that the group have been consistently raising similar amounts over the past four years and that last year's total was just over £72,000.

However, as there are a couple of businesses yet to turn in their collections, this year's figure could top this.