Army reserves have stepped up to help a new British legion branch.

The 4th Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Workington, have helped a local poppy appeal during the coronavirus lockdown.

National rules requiring counting to take place in public buildings, became a problem this year for many poppy appeal organisers, with many closed due to lockdown.

The Duke of of Lancaster’s Regiment stepped with enthusiasm to volunteer their time and space, along with their counting machine, to the new Seascale and Sellafield Royal British Legion Branch.

Ex merchant navy veteran Derick Francis is second in command at the new British Legion branch for the area. He thinks it’s a great initiative.

He said: “We have seen a terrific response for our first year as a legion in the local villages and at Sellafield and I want to thank especially the Army reserves for volunteering to help count the money from this year’s national Poppy Appeal. Also, to our volunteers from Sellafield who were able to take poppy boxes into to various locations on site this year."

"We are here for all the veterans who work on the Sellafield site or who live in the surrounding villages and we look forward to helping many of them especially at this difficult time.”

The Seascale and Sellafield branch of the Royal British Legion was formed earlier this year at the Lion and Lamb Pub in Gosforth.