A NEW fundraising record has been reached after almost £20,000 was raised by Ramsbottom’s branch of The Royal British Legion.

The branch has thanked the town’s residents for helping to make 2015 the best poppy appeal year on record, after £19,443 was collected throughout December.

Ramsbottom's Tesco store raised £1,623 for the appeal and the town's Morrison's store collected £4,121 for the appeal. Both store managers were presented with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the collection.

A spokesman for Ramsbottom’s branch of The Royal British Legion said: “We would like to thank all the people of Ramsbottom and the surrounding areas for all their efforts in helping to make 2015 the best poppy appeal year yet.

“With special thanks to all the poppy collectors, the distributors, the counters and anyone who contributed in any way to help with the year’s record breaking poppy appeal.

“This becomes the fifth year that we have seen an increase, and another new record for the Ramsbottom Royal British Legion.

“Poppy appeal organisers Colin Grundy, John Smithson, and Geoff Briggs would like to thank everyone for all their efforts and kind generosity.”