THE Royal British Legion in Wiltshire launched the 2014 Poppy Appeal in spectacular fashion on Monday by parachuting over Stonehenge.

It was attended by schoolchildren from Shewton Primary School who read out a special poem that they had written about the appeal.

Community fundraiser Fi Dobson said that the target to beat for this year is £580,000 in Wiltshire and hopes that the stunning launch will encourage people to donate.

She said: “The whole campaign is in the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. We hope to raise £38.9million nationally which would be a record.”

Sarah Rose Troughton, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, said: “Nine parachutists over an iconic monument like the Stonehenge is something to be remembered and the British Legion’s new flag saying live on is just ideal for the young and old alike.”