The familiar red poppy, worn to mark Remembrance Day, may be missing from Glaswegians' lapels this year if an urgent appeal for volunteers is unsuccessful.

Poppyscotland, the charity behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal, has warned that volunteer numbers need to increase sharply if poppies are to be available in Glasgow this November.

A national appeal, backed by a TV advertising campaign, has been launched to ensure that fundraising for veterans goes ahead as planned in 2008.

Last year's efforts raised a record £1.76m to help the neediest in the ex-service community, but low volunteer numbers for this year so far are jeopardising collections in a number of Glasgow districts, including the city centre, Shawlands, Giffnock and Springburn.

Isla Campbell Lupton, Poppyscotland's volunteer co-ordinator, said: "We urgently need to find volunteers to ensure that there will be a poppy collection across Glasgow this year. Poppyscotland offers assistance to those most in need in the ex-service community so we need to sell as many poppies as possible to continue our work.

"By volunteering for Poppyscotland you will be making a difference to the lives of veterans and their dependants in Scotland, many of whom are affected by issues such as poverty, mental health problems and disability."

Poppyscotland, formerly the Earl Haig Fund Scotland, was founded in 1921 to provide practical help to veterans and their dependants living in Scotland.

Money raised from the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal is spent on direct financial assistance, an advice service - including pension claims and appeals - and employment support for disabled veterans.