Poppy appeal launched

Families and friends of British armed forces in Afghanistan are being formally acknowledged at this year's launch of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

The armed forces charity group has invited wives, children, and girlfriends of the 16 Assault Brigade to Colchester Garrison for a private ceremony and to launch its 90th Poppy Appeal.

The ceremony also featured a performance from the pop group The Saturdays and a parachute display by the Legion's extreme flight team, Jump4Heroes.

The Legion's 2010 Appeal has a fundraising target of £36 million, up from the record £35m raised in 2009.

People wishing to donate to the appeal can buy a poppy from now until November 11, at locations including train stations across the country and shopping centres.

The act of observing a two minute silence each year on November 11 began in 1919, following the Armistice agreement between the Allies and Germany at 11am, on November 11 1918, the end of the First World War.