The sacrifices of past generations were remembered when York's First Citizen launched this year's Poppy Appeal in the city today.

Lord Mayor Shan Braund and the Sheriff of York, Barrie Ferguson, were at the Mansion House for the event, along with Major General Keith Burch, the President of the Royal British Legion for North Yorkshire.

The appeal was also supported by actor Christopher Chittell - Eric Pollard in Emmerdale - who presented a poppy to York girl Natasha Neale, who will be 11-years-old on November 11, Remembrance Day.

City MP Hugh Bayley said: "We live in a free country with democratic elections only because people fought to defend those freedoms.

"In our century we need to remember those who gave their lives in wars in the last century. We can do this by giving money through the Poppy Appeal to support those still living with their injuries from those wars."

The Shepherd Building Group is showing its support to the Royal British Legion by displaying a giant poppy at its Fulford Road premises. Group director Paul Shepherd has made a £1,500 donation to start off the 2000 appeal.