A POPPY sculpture commemorating members of the armed forces has been set up in a city shopping centre.

The structure returned to Crowngate Chapel Walk shopping centre yesterday, as part of a bid to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

Shoppers can fit poppies in some of the 3,000 holes in the sculpture, which will be in the centre until Saturday November 11.

Erica Burlace, manager of Crowngate, said: "This is its second year here. It raised over £15,000 last year, which was six times the amount of previous years without the sculpture.

"I think we are one of the only places in the city centre that offers them [poppy volunteers] shelter.

"It's about not forgetting and creating opportunities to be nostalgic. We bought the sculpture last year for a few thousand pounds."

Ms Burlace said wearing a poppy was a personal choice and motivated by a sense of remembrance.

Steve Mackay, the Mayor of Worcester, who attended the event, said: "When I hear the words 'they gave their tomorrow for our today' it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"This is about promoting the Royal British Legion. I think it [the sculpture] is great. I've put a poppy in."

Cllr Mackay said the sculpture will look brilliant when it is covered in poppies.

David Waldron, county chairman of the Royal British Legion, who formerly served in the Royal Artillery, said: "The poppy is a symbol of remembrance. It originates from World War One."