Money has been raised for a poppyseller made homeless by a fire.

Muriel Constable, 90, has been overwhelmed by people’s generosity after she lost her Halstead home following a fire in September.

She is currently residing in Greenfields sheltered accommodation and wants to thank everyone for all their cards, letters, gifts, good wishes and visits.

More recently, staff and customers at the Halstead Co-op store raised £500 for Miss Constable, who is the oldest poppyseller in the Braintree district.

Store manager Kevin Mitchell said: “Miss Constable is a regular customer and when we heard what had happened to her everyone at the store wanted to help her.

“We regularly raise money for local good causes and are very pleased that with the support of our customers we have raised £500.”