Ashby Arts Festival Poppy Trail raised over £1,500, it has been announced.

The Trail saw a number of painting in Ashby town centre shop windows in the days prior to Remembrance Sunday.

Local volunteer artists were invited to paint a poppy-themed canvas for display in over 90 local retail shop windows in the Ashby shopping area.

The plan had support from Northwest Leicestershire District Council and Ashby de la Zouch Town Council.

The public were able to give a donation for a painting of their choice.

A post on the Ashby de la Zouch Town Council says that the initiative was highly successful - and raised an 'incredible' amount.

The post reads: "Prior to the annual Poppy Appeal for Ashby de la Zouch & District, Margaret Jones the Treasurer to the Ashby de la Zouch Arts Festival approached the Poppy Appeal Organiser Paul Stokes with the concept she had in mind.

"Local volunteer artists were invited to paint poppy themed canvases for display in over 90 local retail shop windows in the Ashby shopping area.

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"On December 23, Margaret passed to the PAO donations amounting to £1,507.10. This was an incredible amount.

"On behalf of Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, we thank all the artists for their time and skills, the support of the shop owners, all the donors for their generous donations, the Local Authorities for their support and to The Arts Festival Poppy Trail 2021, especially Margaret and all her team for organising the event."