A TIRELESS 99-year-old has helped raise hundreds for this year's Poppy Appeal by making her own special knitted poppies.

Beatrice Furlong, whose late husband Vincent fought in the Second World War, has spent months knitting the poppies at home and raised £250 by selling them for £2 each at the Asda in St Martin's Quarter.

Beatrice, who has four children, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, said: "It was a very good day – Asda and the customers were very supportive."

She said one of the highlights was when a two-year-old girl came up to buy a poppy and revealed her name was Poppy.

Poppy’s mum Katy Swatton said: "We always like to donate to the Poppy Appeal, and Beatrice and Mal thought it was wonderful that my daughter is called Poppy - a really nice coincidence.

"Poppy has been wearing the poppy all week.

"I told her that it was special because a 99-year-old lady had knitted it. I think what Beatrice does is incredible – she's an amazing lady."

Beatrice and her daughter Mal are well known for their tireless community work having helped set up a community centre in the city in 1951, and been heavily involved in organising hundreds of activities and events for the community since.

Mal said: "We’re very passionate about doing everything we can to help our local community.

"A lot of the customers know us and they were stopping for a little chat after they'd bought one of the poppies.

"We have very strong feelings when it comes to the Poppy Appeal. Dad was always very keen on doing what he could do help the Royal British Legion.

"We couldn't believe it when we met a little girl whose name is Poppy - you couldn't have planned it.”

The store's community champion John Horsley said: "Customers think Beatrice is absolutely fantastic.

"She spends months knitting these poppies as they're quite intricate.

"She's just amazing. She chats to everybody who comes over to buy a poppy. You'd think she was was 50 not 99.

"Beatrice and her family have done so much for this community."