HUNDREDS of people turned up to watch the official launch of this year's Royal British Legion 2017 Poppy Appeal in Newport city centre.

The mayor of Newport, Cllr David Fouweather, appeared together with local war veteran and Poppy Appeal stalwart Ron Jones, BEM.

And brigadier Robert Aitken, CBE officially declared that this year's appeal is now open.

Newport's Royal British Legion organised the event which took place in John Frost Square by Friars Walk Shopping centre.

The Prince of Wales Division opened up the ceremony from 10.30am.

Mike Jones, Poppy Appeal organiser for Gwent, said: "This year we are asking the public to rethink Remembrance Day. By that we mean 'why do you wear a poppy?' I can relate back from the July 31 in 1917 to the November 10 - the Battle of Passchendaele as we know.

"310,000 casualties fell during that from the British side alone. Those people died in those fields in Flanders.

"Now bring it to the modern day - we had the Afghan crisis, we had a casualty with some horrific injuries then. Within 24 hours they were in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

"It's those people who are going to be needing our support for the rest of our lives.

"We need to think of the future and think of those that we are supporting now."

The Legion’s Gwent county president lieutenant colonel Mike Harry said the Exhortation followed by the Last Post being played.

Mr Harry said: "Last year was a record breaking year and here in Newport it was outstanding. The people in this area who helped us should be very proud of themselves."

The Poppy Appeal is now open.

For more information, contact Mr Jones by emailing mike.legion@hotmail.com.