Britain's oldest poppy seller Wally Randall dies at the age of 104
A war veteran from Leighton Buzzard, who was Britain's oldest poppy seller, has died at the age of 104.
Walter Randall, who was known as Wally, served in the Second World War after leaving his job at Vauxhall in Luton to join the Royal Army Service Corps.
His father was killed just a day before World War One ended.
Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Wally started selling poppies in Leighton Buzzard in the 1960s and continued to do so for over 50 years.
Watch a report featuring Wally in 2018
Speaking to ITV News Anglia in 2018, Wally said he wanted to raise money to support the current generation of the Armed Forces.
"I think they need the money to pay for those poor fellows to be looked after," he said.
"They deserve some support. While I've got the energy, it's nice to come here and meet all these people."
Leighton-Linslade Town Council mayor Dave Bowater was among those to pay tribute to Wally.
He said: “On behalf of everyone at Leighton-Linslade Town Council, may I express our great sadness at the news of the passing of Mr Walter (Wally) Randall, former Mayor of the Council.
"His service to our community over many years was exemplary and he will be greatly missed. The Council is grateful for having been able to confer the title of the first ever Honorary Freeman of Leighton-Linslade to Mr Randall in November 2019, in recognition of his service.”
Mr Bowater also confirmed that the council are hoping to honour Mr Randall in the town centre at some point in the future.