NORTHWOOD'S annual poppy appeal will receive a blow this year if calls for volunteers continue to go unanswered.

The area's two loyal poppy sellers, Tony Eastman and David Benatar, have retired from their duties after clocking up more than 40 years of service between them.

The Royal British Legion has been trying to fill their roles for the last few months but so far nobody has come forward, fuelling fears the appeal will suffer.

The Northwood collections raise about £10,000 for the Royal British Legion each year.

The job would involve either selling poppies at Waitrose or going door-to-door two or three days a week, plus delivering poppy wreaths and working with schools to raise awareness.

Each seller has a team of volunteers who help them with their duties, but they are responsible for organising collections and the job can take up a lot of spare time.

Poppy sellers are vitally important during the run-up to Remembrance Day. The

iconic little red paper flowers, with black centre and green plastic stem, symbolise respect for those who have lost their lives in war. Sellers also play an important role on Remembrance Sunday itself.

Mr Eastman said: "It's a very necessary role and one that needs someone who has the time to make everything happen.

"It's obviously a very valuable role and one that is a duty, in order to remember those who have lost their lives."

Tony Ellis, of Northwood Residents' Association, said recruiting volunteers is a problem faced by many Northwood organisations.

He said: "We're not a place that's very good for volunteering.

"Many people that live here work in town and are just used to coming home and putting the barriers up.

"It would be a terrible shame if there was no one to carry out the door-to-door collections or organise the very successful collection at Waitrose."

Mr Benatar added: "It's time I gave it a rest but I do hope someone comes forward as it is a very important job and raises a lot of money."

**Anyone interested in being a poppy collector can call Mr Eastman on 01923 827 530 or Mr Benatar on 01923 824 032.