MEMBERS of the Grays and Thurrock Royal British Legion were rightly in a celebratory mood...after raising almost £73,700 in 2017.

MP Jackie Doyle-Price and deputy mayor Terry Piccolo were the guests of honour at the special dinner and dance laid on to celebrate. The popular annual event took place at Thurrock Rugby Club in Long Lane, Grays.

A range of special guests were in attendance for the event including Mr Piccolo, Mrs Doyle-Price and Bob Villa, RBL president for Essex.

Children and adults were also recognised at the dinner for their work supporting the Poppy Appeal.

Joyce Scott, 30, Peter Taylor, 25, Ken Collins, 20, Sue Merrin, 20, Pat Cook, Sabine Oakley, Rod Oakley, Natasha Oakley, 15 and Jo Webb, 10 were all presented Poppy Collector Pins to thanks them for their hard work.

Three county RBL certificates of achievement were also presented by Mr Villa, to RBL members; Peter Taylor, vice chairman, Sue Merrin, secretary, and Joyce Scott, committee member, former treasurer and standard bearer.

Mrs Doyle-Price also presented some Camaraderie awards to Pat Cook and Charles Brinkley. Finally, Rod Oakley also presented the Chairman’s Shield to the Poppy Appeal Organiser Vanessa Magee for all her efforts for the Poppy Appeal 2017.

The group thanked its supporters including Grays Athletic FC, SDH Solutions Ltd, Intu Lakeside and Morrison’s for their support.