Cicely Bull had been collecting for the Poppy Appeal since she was a teenager and on Sunday her sterling efforts were recognised with a special award.

Mrs Bull, 62, was presented with the Royal British Legion Long Service Emblem with Bars at All Saints' Church parish hall for her 45 years of work for the charity.

Mrs Bull, who lives in Main Road, Hursley, has lived in the village all her life and started collecting for the Poppy Appeal with her mother when she was 16. She also received a For Merit brooch and a certificate.

She said: "It was a total shock, but I am very honoured to receive the award. I just took over collecting from my mother really. My dad was in World War I, my brother served in the Korean War and my son served in the Falklands conflict. I will be carrying on with my work. I just enjoy doing things for people."

Major Philip Belgeonne, Poppy Appeal organiser for the Hursley area, presented Mrs Bull with her award. He said: "Since 1945, our servicemen have been facing the bullet in the world somewhere, except 1968. That is why the Royal British Legion continues to be so important.

"We look after wounded people who have come back from a conflict and help them get back into careers, as well as other things. Cicely is a wonderful woman who loves helping people. If there is anything in the village that needs doing, people always come to her."

Others from the village to receive awards include Mr R. Briggs, who received a pin and certificate for 15 years' service, and Mrs Jean Belgeonne, who was awarded a certificate for five years' service.

A certificate for long-term support of the Poppy Appeal went to IBM, based in Hursley, and the two village pubs, The King's Head and The Dolphin.