With Remembrance Sunday fast approaching, the Barnsley branch of the Royal British Legion is in serious need of volunteers for this year's poppy appeal.

People are being asked to offer two hours of their time to make this year's appeal the biggest yet.

No military background is necessary, just a strong desire to support the armed forces and their families.

Goff Griffiths, who is the appeal's co-ordinator for Barnsley, said: "We are desperate for volunteers and I really mean that because people are getting a little older, and some move away, so we have lost quite a number."

Aubrey Martin-Wells, 85, of Summer Lane, is a stalwart volunteer who has been turning out to do his bit for the appeal for more years than he can remember.

"It's part of my life now," he said.

Aubrey, a former RAF man who is also a case worker for the legion, is urging people to get involved with the appeal and said it is a rewarding experience.

The money raised will help the legion fund the £1.4million per week it spends on helping ex-servicemen and their families.

"It means we have to collect a great deal of money to be able to do this every week," Aubrey said.

"Everybody that you see in the Royal British Legion is a volunteer and we would like more people to come and help because, bearing in mind we are a degenerating industry, virtually and all the volunteers are about my age. There are very few people who are under 60.

"You always get these moments that makes you realise it's worth doing and then those that bring a tear to your eye."

He said Barnsley folk are very generous when it comes to giving to the poppy appeal and hopes this year will be a bumper one.

He added: "One thing we don't do is rattle the box at people or ask for a certain amount of money, people put in what they like."

If you can help by volunteering two or more hours of your time this month or in November contact Debbie by email dwestlake@britishlegion.org.uk or call 07880 780 207.