Deputy Mayor of Alsager, Councillor Rod Fletcher, laid a wreath at the launch of Sandbach's Poppy Appeal at the weekend.

Motorbikers from the Royal British Legion's Bikers branch rode into Sandbach on Saturday) to launch the town's annual Poppy Appeal.

And the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lady Redmond MBE, along with the Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East, Cllr Rod Fletcher, the Sandbach branch of the Royal British Legion and the Mayor of Sandbach, laid wreaths at the War Memorial.

A short service was held at the War Memorial by the Rev Jeff Cuttell, branch chaplain of the Royal British Legion Bikers Branch.

He said war was not just about the history books but due to the current armed conflict it had touched the lives of so many.  

He said: "Today we salute the memory of those who died in the two World Wars." 

Some of the riders are ex-service personnel but there many more just want to support he Royal British Legion through the Riders Branch.

Rev Cuttell at the service

The event is an annual one to launch the Poppy Appeal and bikers visited Crewe and Middlewich along with other points en route yesterday.