Britain's last Tommy, Harry Patch, will help launch this year's Poppy Appeal aboard HMS Somerset, a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate, at Avonmouth docks later this month.

Harry, from Wells in Somerset, now 110, is the last survivor of the first World War's battles on the Western Front in France.

Joining him will be Corporal Johnson Beharry, one of only ten living recipients of the Victoria Cross and Marcus Trescothick, former England opening batsman who was part of the Ashes winning team in 2005 and is currently a prolific scorer for his home county of Somerset.

The Lord Lieutenants of Somerset and Bristol, the High Sheriff of Somerset, and the Lord Mayor of Bristol will attend the launch of the Poppy Appeal on October 29.

There will be a parade of standards and a short service during which there will be a fly past by the Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight.

A Beaver plane will drop hundreds of poppies in remembrance of the fallen servicemen and women of both world wars and of more recent conflicts.

The RAFA (SW) Concert Band will also be playing before and during the service.

Somerset County Chairman Major Rikki Peters said: "The Poppy Appeal launch this year continues to fund the Royal British Legion's welfare activities through poppy support and it is clear that the current environment of high deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan is impacting on the Legion's caseload.

"Over the last year the number of Royal British Legion beneficiaries aged 35 or under has increased by 30 per cent. This points to a growing need for the Legion's services among younger serving and ex-service people.

"Extra funds raised this year will therefore make a significant difference to those who need assistance.

"The launch is a timely reminder that the ex-service and serving members of our community do need the generosity of the nation in a collective thank you to help those in need and we are delighted that we have three truly remarkable people to launch the Appeal from HMS Somerset."