ORGANISERS of Keighley's 2017 Poppy Appeal have hailed the hard work put in by their supporters after revealing the total raised by the fundraising campaign.

Keighley Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser, David Calder, said the total amount for 2017 is £39,155, surpassing 2016's sum of £38,000.

"I'd like to say thank you to all our helpers, including the local cadet unit members and everyone else who supported the collections or contributed money," he added. "We really appreciate what they did.

"I'm very pleased with how much we collected, and our poppy appeal shop in the Airedale Centre was massively successful."

Mr Calder, of Riddlesden, served in the army catering corps and also spent four years in the Territorial Army.

The 2017 appeal in Keighley again saw military veterans join forces with cadets and other helpers to drum up donations in and around the town centre.

The temporary shop outside the bus station boosted the fundraising total further by selling items such as poppy themed mugs, bags and magnets, as well as knitted fabric poppies, children's books and many other gifts.