Queen of the poppy sellers dies at 103

BRITAIN’S longest-serving poppy seller has died aged 103 – nine days after receiving an MBE.

Rosemary Powell, pictured, helped her mother sell poppies on Richmond Bridge, south-west London, for the Royal British Legion’s first Poppy Appeal in 1921, when she was six.

She spent the next 97 years collecting for the charity but earlier this year said she had hung up her tin.

The great- grandmother, from London, was included in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her service to the Legion.

On August 6 she was awarded the MBE by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Colonel Jane Davis. Mrs Powell, who died on August 15, is survived by three sons, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Charles Byrne, director of the Legion, previously described Mrs Powell as ‘truly inspirational’. Her funeral will be held later this month.