A CONVENIENCE store in Ascot has become the first shop in the country to sell purple poppy badges as part of a new national campaign.

Maloney's Budgens, in the High Street, is showing its support for the Purple Poppy Appeal to raise funds for equine and military charities following the unveiling of the War Horse Memorial Statue in the town on June 8.

The store's owner, Vince Maloney said: "We’ve taken five boxes of pin badges and bracelets and from the reaction from our staff and customers so far we might be needing more soon.

"We will always support our communities in a long term and sustainable way to help our local children, charities and community groups, and with Poppy the War Horse beautifully positioned at the top of the High Street we are proud and delighted to be flying the flag for such an worthwhile cause.”

Alan Carr MBE, co-founder of The War Horse Memorial said: “This is only the first year of our campaign, but already hundreds of individuals and groups have pledged their

support.

"To get Maloney’s Budgens leading the way will mean, we hope, that other shops and businesses will want to help us too. All the profits we raise will go help local and national charities, including The Household Cavalry Foundation and Blue Acre Horse Rescue, in Old Windsor."