THIS year's Poppy Appeal was launched outside Sudbury Town Hall on Saturday and paid special tribute to soldiers who had recently lost their lives from military bases in Suffolk and Essex.

THIS year's Poppy Appeal was launched outside Sudbury Town Hall on Saturday and paid special tribute to soldiers who had recently lost their lives from military bases in Suffolk and Essex.

Under the stewardship of Stuart Hume, the Sudbury branch of the Royal British Legion has consistently been one of the most successful in raising funds and volunteers said they were pleased with how this year's campaign had started.

Colin Smith, chairman of the Sudbury branch, said: “We are pleased with the reaction we got from the town with everyone seeming to be very supportive.

“The launch day is always very important as it gets things off to a good start and makes people aware of what the next few weeks is all about.

“I think the branch has always made a lot of money for the poppy appeal because of the proximity of military bases in Suffolk and Essex.

“People are aware of the presence and also of the recent losses. We wanted to show solidarity to those currently serving as well as those who served in the past.”

The launch saw mayor John Sayers and his deputy, Peter Beer, driven around town in a Second World War military vehicle as dedicated volunteers began selling poppies around the Sudbury area.

Meanwhile, a book commemorating a village's war dead has been completed following painstaking research by a keen historian.

Shirley Smith paid tribute to the 43 people from Great Cornard who lost their lives during the two world wars. Having completed a similar book in Sudbury, Mrs Smith said the next edition tells poignant stories of tragic losses including three brothers who were killed within 13 months of each other.

The book, printed and bound with the help of a £300 grant from the village's parish council, will be dedicated at the remembrance service at St Andrew's Church on November 9.