THE credit crunch may be biting in Swindon – but that has not stopped the town’s people digging deep to show their appreciation for the military.

Royal British Legion poppy collectors in central Swindon raised £45,000 in last year’s collection – most of which was gathered in just two weeks.

The total is the highest amount ever collected in the town.

One organiser says that he believes the conflict in Afghanistan is fuelling people’s generosity.

Now they just need more volunteers to reach new heights.

Alan Baker, poppy organiser for the Swindon branch of the Royal British Legion for the last 17 years, said: “It’s down to the hard work people have put in and the generosity of the patrons.

“It’s a thank you for the people of Swindon and everybody.

“It was about £10,000 when I took over and we have built it up from then.”

The achievement was celebrated at a special lunch put on by the Mayor of Swindon Coun Steve Wakefield with guests including the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Madeline Wilks.

The central Swindon team is made up of 12 volunteers who man stalls and put out collection boxes during the first two weeks in November to coincide with Remembrance Sunday.

Within that team Mr Baker says there is one woman in her seventies, whose husband was in the RAF, who stands outside Marks and Spencers collecting for the whole two weeks.

She raised £5,000 on her own.

“There’s several people that do a lot of work running stalls for us,” said Mr Baker.

“Normally the Swindon poppy appeal averages between £25,000 to £30,000, but in the last couple of years it has been rising with last year’s collection raising £40,000.

“The past couple of years the collection has escalated probably down to the middle eastern conflicts.

“People are coming back all the time and a lot of the people from Swindon do the street lining at Wootton Bassett.”

To volunteer, call Mr Baker on 01793 431214.