PEOPLE from all over Cornwall – and all over the world – have helped a county-wide campaign to commemorate the Cornish fallen of the First World War to break its target.

So strong has been the reaction to the appeal for hand-made commemorative poppies that the project has now been extended with a new ambition.

Cornwall’s Regimental Museum has been attempting to collect a hand-made poppy in commemoration of each soldier of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI) killed during the First World War – a total of 4,282 poppies.

Now the Bodmin-based museum has said the target has been reached a year ahead of time and a new target has been set.

The new figure – 9,687 poppies – represents the fallen DCLI servicemen who made up the original target, plus all other Cornishmen killed during active service in the First World War.

Marketing manager Sophie Hodge said: ‘Within this new figure we’re attempting to commemorate every Cornishman who lost his life in active service during the 14-18 War, across each of the Armed Forces. It is a large target, but with the huge amount of enthusiasm and support we’ve received so far, we believe it’s certainly achievable. ’

The poppies will be used to create a handmade exhibition at Bodmin Keep, marking the centenary of the end of the First World War in November 2018.

The deadline for poppies is September 2018.

Poppies must be hand-made, no larger than four inches across and must have a fastening on the back (such as a safety pin).

The museum has received knitted, felted, paper and crocheted poppies, some with beads or embroidery and some plain.

Anyone wishing to donate a poppy can drop them in, or post them to: Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, The Keep, Bodmin, PL31 1EG.

There are more details, and even knitting patterns and instructions for making poppies, on the museum’s website www. cornwalls-regimentalmuseum.org