THIS year's Gwent Poppy appeal was officially launched in Cwmbran at yesterday.

The fundraising launch kicked off in Cwmbran shopping centre in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9.

The appeal is launched at a different town or city across Gwent each year.

Reverand David Dunn, vicar at the Holy Trinity Church in Pontnewydd and chaplain for the Pontnewydd Royal British Legion, delivered a service.

A precession of ex-servicemen walked through the centre and into the central square to commence proceedings, which was followed by a two minute silence.

Gwent County trustee of the Royal British Legion, Joan Reynolds, said: "These are amazingly important, with a launch like this, people will get geared up to put all the money possible in the poppy tins."

Torfaen Mayor Aneurin James attended, as well as Newport Gwent Dragons player Kevin Morgan.

Mrs Reynolds, 83, who has been involved with the appeal for 30 years, said one of the main aims of this year was to show the public that the Royal British Legion caters for a variety of serving and ex-service people.

"This is not just for the oldies, this is for youngsters as well," she said.

Freddie Keyte, 81, of Tinton Close, Cwmbran, served in the Fifth Battlion Scottish of the Parachute Regiment between 1945 and 1948 in Palestine. He has been a poppy seller for four years.

"The launch of the appeal is very important, people are more interested now in what the young lads are doing out in Iraq and Afghanistan," Mr Keyte said.

Last year in Gwent the Poppy Appeal raised £182,679.61, and in South Wales the legion spent £1,182,700.33 on welfare.