Aunt Violet, 96, knits 100 poppies for Ulverston's Royal British Legion 2019 Poppy Appeal

Her nephew Tony Emmerton, of Newby Bridge, helped her sell them at locations like Conishead Priory's World Peace Cafe.

Mr Emmerton, who was the appeal's collector for Greenodd to Lakeside, said the hand-knitted poppies proved especially popular among hotel reception staff.

Ulverston's appeal coordinator Robert Hutton described Mrs Fortt's effort as "remarkable" and said she deserved "special thanks" for her help and enthusiasm. Mr Hutton said the 96-year-old, who lives near Preston, was the town's oldest collector by far.

“Aunt Violet is dedicated to supporting the collection," said Mr Emmerton, "and hand-knits 100 poppies every year to sell for the fund. Her incredible fitness is down to gardening every day."

On Remembrance Sunday, Mrs Fortt gave a talk at her local church on her experiences living in London during World War Two.

She recounted the sound of the "doodlebug" rockets, how she was injured in a blast and, after recovering, went on to make gun turrets for Lancaster bombers.

Her late husband Dalton served with the Chindits, and was captured and tortured by the Japanese, but eventually returned to marry Violet. The couple had two daughters.