THE High Ongar branch of the Royal British Legion raised a record £9,300 this year, it has announced.

Members of the branch say even more cash is still to be collected and the final total could be much higher.

Branch secretary Peter Richards said: "On behalf of the branch our thanks go to the generous people of Ongar and the district for their absolute support this year.

"No doubt events in Afghanistan have made more people aware of the tremendous amount of work that the legion undertakes for our serving and ex-serving personnel.

"Special thanks go to Sgt Peter Golding and Ongar Army Cadet Force for their tremendous effort in collecting £1,445 towards the total, and to all of our collectors who stood outside Senners, Sainsbury and Tesco during the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday and to Ashlyns Organic Farms who raised nearly £400 during and including their pumpkin party."

The record haul comes despite criticism from some residents that poppy collection boxes were removed several days before Armistice Day from some shops and a pub.

The head office of the legion said its local branches had to collect some boxes early because of its own regulations.