HUNDREDS attended a ceremony in honour of Royal British Legion volunteers who for 90 years have worked tirelessly to support current and former servicemen and their families.

Representatives from legion branches across the country attended a service at St Thomas a Becket Church in Ramsey to mark the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal British Legion.

Also present were the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Hugh Duberly and RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow Group Captain Bea Walcott,

Organiser and Huntingdonshire county chairman for the RBL George Redhead said he was pleased with the turn-out for the day which ended with a parade and salute taken on Ramsey Abbey Green.

Playing during the day were the Peterborough Highland Pipe Band.

Mr Redhead said: “A lot of people came and said how they had enjoyed the day and how well it had gone. A huge amount of work has gone into the 90th anniversary celebrations. Throughout the year there have been village fetes and fundraising events.

“It is a milestone and the attendant publicity brings home the fact we have been doing this for a long time and, God willing, we will still be doing it for a long time to come.”

The legion, nationally, raised �34 million from the poppy appeal for servicemen and their families last year and hopes are to raise �90m in total this year.

Money is spent providing welfare services for current and veteran members of the armed forces. Around �200,000 a day on welfare services by the charity.

Funds also go towards running the four personnel recovery centres and the Royal British Legion Battle Back Challenge Centre.

Mr Redhead said: “There is a terrible misconception that we are all 80 sat down at the legion club and reminiscing about D-Day.

“These days there are kids coming home in their 20s without arms and legs, and we are out there raising funds for them.

“During the service, the chaplain was quite forthright. He said ‘You guys are the legion, thank you for being there and thank you for what you do.’”