Salford British Legion suffers poppy container theft
A 20ft (6m) metal container used to store 30 collecting tins and thousands of poppies has been stolen from the Salford Royal British Legion club.
Officials have appealed for the return the contents of the container which was also used to store memorabilia from the club, which closed in July.
The theft, from outside the premises in Robert Hall Street, was discovered on Tuesday morning by the club chairman.
Greater Manchester Police said it was investigating the theft.
'91 years of history'
Branch president of the Salford Royal British Legion Alan Mottershead said he thought the thieves would have needed a crane to move the container.
In addition to poppies and collecting tins, it also contained poppy crosses, appeal wristbands, high visibility jackets, British Legion and union jack flags and memorabilia such as war memorial plaques.
"They can keep the container, we just want the memorabilia and the poppies back," said Mr Mottershead.
"There was 91 years of history inside it."
Det Sgt Julie Connor from Salford CID said: "The container was very large and heavy and would have required a large vehicle and lifting equipment to remove it.
"This crime will directly affect those personnel who dedicate their lives to serving our country and it is essential we recover everything."