The head of a Shropshire-based Army regiment has praised Market Drayton after the town raised a record £17,000 for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, described the total given by the town’s residents as ‘tremendous’ and said it was an indication of the partnership the Army has with the town.

Soldiers from the regiment, based at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, helped Royal British Legion branch members in the town to launch the appeal at the end of October.

Poppy Appeal organisers believe the record amount raised of £17,060.64 was partly due to the impact made by the regiment’s six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan which ended in April this year.

Lt Col Weir said: “The regiment was very happy to help launch the Poppy Appeal in Market Drayton this year and very happy to be able to help throughout the course of it.

“The amount raised by the people of Market Drayton and the local area is tremendous and it’s an indication of the part- nership that we, the Royal Irish Regiment, have with them and the Royal British Legion.”

The Poppy Appeal record comes after five members of the regiment were recognised for their bravery in Afghanistan by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week.

Lt Col Weir was presented with a Distinguished Service Order for his courage and leadership of Operation Herrick 13 to remove Taliban insurgents from an area of Helmand Province. Major Jamie Hum-phreys received an MBE for his ‘bravery, skill and determination’ in leading a daring night patrol during a three-month battle for Saidabad.

Three soldiers from the regiment each received a Military Cross – Lieutenant Paul McFarland, Sergeant Peter Keogh and Lance Corporal Ratu Qalitakivuna.

“It was a fantastic day and it was great to have all five of us there,” Lt Col Weir said.

“Five men in green uniforms, with their families, and Her Majesty kept us until the end. We were the last ones to go through the hall and I was told she tends to do this because she likes to end on a high.”

The regiment is to be given further recognition next year when it receives the Freedom of the Town of Market Drayton at a ceremony due to take place in April.

Lt Col Weir said: “We’re looking forward to it and we’re working closely with Market Drayton Town Council to make sure that it’s as memorable a day as it can it be.”