FORESTERS are being urged to turn out in force to honour fallen heroes and support the Rifles.

The Forester is leading the way by backing Councillor Bill Osborne's Citizens' Act of Remembrance at Lydney war memorial on Armistice Day.

Major Jonathan Kitson, pictured, from 1Rifles will lay a wreath shortly before the bugler plays the last post to mark the start of a two-minute silence.

The November 11 service will start at 10.30am when more than 30 pupils from Severnbanks Primary School read out a roll of honour from the memorial and lay poppies for each name.

Forest of Dean District Council chairman Marrilyn Smart will list the names of the Rifles lost in battle and Coun Bill Osborne will read the epitaph.

At the last meeting, Coun Osborne urged fellow town councillors to join him at the war memorial for the citizens' service.

"Let the people of Lydney see as many representatives there as possible," he said.

Afterwards children will meet soldiers from nearby Beachley Barracks who are expected to go to Afghanistan after Christmas.

The Citizens' service comes as veterans from across the Forest launch their poppy appeal as they prepare to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Jane Watts opened the Lydney poppy appeal shop, which was named after husband Melville who died earlier this year.

Lydney Royal British Legion representative Stan Rudge helped her officially launch the Newerne Street shop which honours the businessman who was a stalwart of the local branch for many years.

In Coleford Mayor Sue Merrikin officially opened the town's RBL poppy shop in the clock tower.

But with Remembrance Sunday just over a week away, members of St John the Baptist in Ruardean sent out an SOS to find a bugler to play the Last Post and Reveille and honour the 39 names on the village memorial.

They cannot find anybody to replace their usual bugler who is studying away from home and Councillor Andrew Gardiner (Ind, Lydbrook and Ruardean) has appealed for retired musicians to come forward.

"Here in Ruardean we regard the calls of the bugler as an important part of the remembrance service," he said.

Drybrook branch of the Royal British Legion are hoping to add the name of Royal Fusilier Pte Richard Hill to the Lydbrook war memorial this year.

The 18-year-old was killed in action on August 21 1918 after joining his two brothers William and James fighting in France and has no known grave.