POPPY petals floated through the air as people bowed their heads to remember fallen heroes and British soldiers fighting in conflicts across the globe.

A hush fell over Newbury Racecourse as more than a hundred people fell silent to mark the start of this year’s Berkshire and Vale of the White Horse Poppy Appeal.

The national appeal, run by the Royal British Legion, began on Thursday, but on Sunday dignitaries from the Berkshire and Vale of the White Horse branch gathered at the racecourse with Berkshire’s Lord Lieutenant Mary Bayliss to launch the county’s appeal.

Mrs Bayliss told the crowd that this year’s message is Live On – to the memory of the fallen and future of the living, and urged people to wear their poppies with pride to support service men and women, veterans and their loved ones.

She added: “As we mark the centenary of the First World War, it’s as important as ever to wear a poppy and remember the sacrifices and commitment made by our Armed Forces both then, since, and now.”

The event began with the Band of the 7 Rifles entering the enclosure followed by the Royal British Legion standard bearers.

Then four paratroopers from the Tiger Parachute Display team leapt from an Islander plane overhead to whoops and cheers from the crowd as they unfurled the Union Jack and Royal British Legion flags behind them in the overcast sky.

Royal British Legion county president Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter led the exhortation, followed by the Last Post and the poppy petal drop, before the ceremony ended with the Reveille.

County chairman Group Captain David Drew said the appeal was still important because ex-service men and women were still in need of support. He added: “It’s a big year for us and I am very proud to be a part of the launch.

“It is a year to reflect and a commemoration of the dreadful events that lasted the best part of four-and-a-half years.”

Royal British Legion County Ceremonial Officer Andy Gale, from Tilehurst, who led the standard bearers, said: “It is a great honour. Because it’s the centenary it’s a really special year for us and we are hoping to get a big push for the Poppy Appeal.”