A SPECTACULAR display will mark the launch of this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Hampshire.

A group of abseilers will drop more than 80 feet from the top of the Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton as 20,000 poppy petals made out of red silk flutter downwards.

The descent will be performed by The Abseilers Ltd, which provides training and equipment for people who have to work on tall buildings.

Three representatives from the Gosport-based firm, Steve Collins, Matt Bailey and Kevin Wilkinson, will descend near the lifts in the main lobby.

The Royal British Legion is hoping this year’s appeal in the county will raise almost £2 million towards the national target of £47 million.

A spokesman said: “The poppy and the work of the Legion are often associated with the First and Second World Wars and elderly veterans.

“But the charity is calling on the public to reconsider what the poppy stands for and wear it in support of the armed forces community, past and present.”

Sarah Ferris, the Legion’s community fundraiser for South Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, added: “When you wear your poppy this year, think of all the many and unexpected ways the Legion uses your donation to support the armed forces community.

“Veterans and serving personnel and their families live in communities across the UK and the Legion’s work is happening all around you.”

The events at Westquay are due to start at 11am with a display of singing and dancing, followed by a performance of the string trio Cordelectra.

An abseil accompanied by falling poppies will take place at 12.40pm and again at 3.30pm.

The Legion provides crisis grants, researches the long-term impact of blast injuries on the body and lobbies the government on a range of issues.

It also provides advice on benefits and money problems.

In the past 12 months it has answered more than a million pleas for help.

Hampshire families given a helping hand include Adam and Jodie Older and their three-year-old daughter Isabella, whose two beach holidays were paid for by the Legion.

The Aldershot-based couple, who are both serving in the army, needed a break and contacted the charity.