A MINI army of poppy sellers has been recruited by Cardwell Garden Centre -- and they’re all girls called Poppy.

The attraction near Gourock had posted a Facebook message asking for any youngster called Poppy to come forward to be the face of their fund-raising efforts for Poppy Scotland and the Royal British Legion.

Within only a few hours they were inundated with mums, dads, grans and grandpas nominating more than 40 girls. And because of the huge response, all the youngsters were invited to Cardwell for a photoshoot.G

Cardwell Garden Centre is donating 50p to the charities for every Gardman Poppy Bird Feeder sold for £6.99. Even more money will be raised with every purchase of special Apta Poppy Wall Pots, costing £14.99, with Cardwell donating £1.50, and Poppy Wall Plaques, costing £9.99 with a £1 donation to the charities.

Cardwell’s retail general manager, Paul Carmichael said: “We thought having a youngster called Poppy in a photograph promoting our fund-raising for the annual Poppy Appeal and tying in with Remembrance Day would be a bit unusual.

“We were amazed and delighted at the reaction from the public and having so many girls called Poppy volunteering makes our photograph all the more unique.”

Poppy Murray, left, and Poppy Docherty