GARDEN lovers have been feeding their feathered visitors and helping a worthy cause at the same time.

Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, has collected £3,600 this year by selling cast iron poppy bird feeders.

Staff from the garden centre recently presented a cheque to Ian Jarvis, the Legion's community fundraiser for Dorset.

The Legion helps support members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans and their families.

It is the second year that staff have raised money for the Legion. From each bird feeder sold £2 will go towards the charity.

The inspiration for the scheme came from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red Exhibition by Paul Cummins at the Tower of London, held last year.

Anthony Gould, director of Goulds Garden Centre, said demand for the poppy feeders had exceeded all expectations with just under £7,000 raised in the past two years.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted to have raised almost £7,000 for such a great cause. We would like to thank all of our customers who have purchased a poppy, for their help in raising such a fantastic amount of money for the Royal British Legion."

Following the success of the poppy bird feeders, the centre now has a number of cast iron daffodil feeders on sale.

The sale of each daffodil feeder will see £2 go to CLIC Sargent, a cancer charity supporting children and young people.