THIS year's poppy appeal by the Royal British Legion is being launched with a twist.

Today, two classic buses will be touring Cumbria, stopping off at several towns to kick off the campaign.

The two 1940s vehicles will visit 11 towns throughout the area.

The bus covering the south will begin its journey from Barrow, taking dignitaries, special guests and members of the public to Ulverston, Sedburgh and Penrith, among others.

A second bus from Carlisle will cover the northern areas of the county, meeting up with the group from the south in Penrith in the afternoon.

Alan Whitmore, community fundraising manager for North West at the Royal British Legion, said: “As the nation's custodian of Remembrance, the Legion is committed to helping everyone understand the importance of Remembrance, so those sacrifices are never forgotten."

SLDC Councillor Normal Bishop-Rowe, chairman of the Ulverston branch of the Legion, said anyone who wanted the promote the poppy campaign was welcome to come.

The bus will depart from outside the Evening Mail offices, in Abbey Road, Barrow, at 9.30am.

The bus will then stop at:

- The Coronation Hall in Ulverston from 9.45-10.45am

- The Kendal Memorial from 11.15-11.45am

- Joss Lane Car Park, Sedburgh from 12.15-1.15pm

- Appleby Moot Hall, 2.15-2.45pm

- Sainsbury's Penrith, 3.30-4pm