Military bands give early wake up call to London commuters on Poppy Day

LONDON - Early morning commuters in London were greeted with an invasion of British military Thursday as members of the army, navy and air force collected donations for the annual Poppy Day which raises funds for military veterans.

There was also performance by the celebrated Band of the Grenadier Guards at London's Waterloo Station, named after one of Britain's most famous battle victories in 1815.

A total of 12 military bands performed at London's mainline railway stations and underground stations.

Government defense ministers Tobias Ellwood, Earl Howe and Stuart Andrew joined serving military members as well as military veterans, selling traditional red poppies.

This year, the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal is aiming to raise its highest ever total of 50 million pounds with an aim to raise one million pounds in just one day at the biggest ever London Poppy Day.

London Poppy Day is the largest street collection in Europe and this year, being the centenary of the end of the First World War, it holds a particularly important significance.

Remembrance Sunday falls on Nov 11 this year.