His on-screen alter ego has been something of a TV villain over the years, but actor Chris Chittell could not have been more generous when he lent his support to the launch of this year's Poppy Appeal in Helston on Saturday.

Chris, who plays Eric Pollard in the ITV soap Emmerdale, happened to be at the town's Tesco store at the time it hosted the launch, as he stays regularly in the area with his wife, actress Lesley Dunlop.

He was only too happy to support the appeal, buying a poppy and posing for photos before completing his shopping.

Helston army cadets and representatives from RNAS Culdrose, including commanding officer of the base Captain Dan Stembridge, also joined volunteers for the launch, in the entrance of the supermarket.

The appeal in this area is being led once again by Jenny Harvey, who run the appeal for Helston, Gweek, Gunwalloe, Trewennack and Culdrose with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers since 2014.

Over the course of the weekend just short of £3,200 was raised at the store, through the sales of poppies and other items.

Helper Tracy Broughal described it as "a fantastic result, which wouldn’t have happened without people’s time, enthusiasm and teamwork."