Bernard on song with Poppy Appeal CD

Bernard Cribbins (left) with singer Hayley Westenra and actor Simon Williams

VETERAN Oldham actor Bernard Cribbins helped to launch the Royal British Legion’s 90th Poppy Appeal at London’s Imperial War Museum yesterday.

The 81-year-old star, who was born in Derker and spent 10 years with Oldham Repertory Theatre, shared the stage with soprano Hayley Westenra to launch an album of remembrance to make money for the appeal.

The forces songbird sported an eye–catching hat embellished with a large poppy at the event to promote a fund-raising CD.

“We Will Remember Them” is a collection of poignant wartime poetry, prose and news clippings from the First World War through to texts written by servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Miss Westenra said: “It is an album of remembrance with readings of the best and most beautiful poems and news readings set to well-chosen classical music.

“It was a real honour to be asked to be involved with this because I’m normally a singer.

“To be able to do a reading was a really great experience.

“It is for the 90th anniversary of the Poppy appeal and the Royal British Legion are trying to raise £90 million which is a mighty goal indeed.”

The CD is set to be released on October 18 and £1 from every one sold will be donated to the charity.