PREPARATIONS are underway for this year's poppy parade in Dudley, with residents and MP Marco Longhi set to decorate the town ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi, Mick Price and supporters are getting set to drive a World War Two truck from Dudley town centre to Gornal village - decorating lampposts with giant poppies ready for Remembrance Day.

Poppies can be sponsored for a £5 donation by individuals and businesses from across the Dudley borough, with funds raised going to the Royal British Legion.

Following the success of last year’s fundraising appeal, Marco Longhi MP said: “Last year we raised over £1,000 for the Royal British Legion. It was such a special and enjoyable event, and we are hoping to raise even more this time. We will be decorating a route which goes from Dudley town centre, all the way to Gornal village. Many residents commented last year on how nice the decorations were and I hope that people will come out to support us again this year."

All funds raised will be donated to the Royal British Legion to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women of the two world wars and later conflicts.

Residents can buy poppies for a minimum donation of £5 each by contacting Marco Longhi MP’s office on 01384 314001 or emailing marco.longhi.mp@parliament.uk.

The poppy parade route will start in Ednam Road, Dudley, at 11am on Saturday October 30.

It will take in The Broadway – stopping by Broadway Halls Care home in Dudley, then onto The Parade, Salop Street, Dibdale Road, The Meadowlark Pub, Dibdale Road West, Lake Street/Humphrey Street and Zoar Street before winding up in Gornal village.