A canine veteran of the war in Afghanistan will appear in Croydon in aid of the annual Poppy Appeal.

Joe, an English Springer Spaniel, served as a Bomb Disposal Dog alongside handler Peter Aldridge, who was sadly killed in the conflict.

The heroic hound will attend the fundraising display in the Whitgift Centre’s main square, which will begin at 10am.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tony Harris, will open the display and Irish Dance performances will take place at 10.15am and 1.30pm.

The event is organised by the Croydon branch of the Royal British Legion in order to boost donations on the final day of the nationwide Poppy Appeal, ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Appeal organiser for the branch, 72-year-old Wally Filby, said: “Tomorrow is the last effort for the Legion’s collection. It means a lot to me because I have served in two Navy campaigns and I know the importance of helping ex-servicemen.”

Mr Filby hopes the campaign will raise their target donation of £47,000 – a rise on last year’s total of £42,000.

He said: “Whether we will make it or not I don’t know, but we have put in all the effort we can this year."