POPPY SELLERS have been left “disgusted” after Swindon’s flagship Marks and Spencer stopped them collecting outside its store.

They can usually expect to raise around £5,000 outside the Regent Street shop in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday.

But this year they could have lost up to 10 per cent of their income for the appeal, which raises money for injured soldiers and their families.

The collectors were told about the decision in mid-October after one organiser wrote to the shop to request their usual stall.

The fundraisers say they were told the appeal was not one of the store’s “designated charities”, so they could not fundraise on its property.

Last night, one ex-serviceman, condemned the store’s stance as “diabolical backstabbing”. Afghanistan veteran Tom Johnson, 29, said: “There wouldn’t even be a Marks and Spencer today if it wasn’t for service people putting their lives on the line to defend humanity and, yes, even firms like them.”

After phone calls from the Adver last night, the food and clothing giant performed a U-turn, blaming “human error” for the decision, and urging the appeal organisers to get back in touch.

However, much of the damage has already been done as the appeal will stop its two-week collection period on Wednesday, November 11.

Organisers said the drive has already potentially lost out on 10 per cent of its total earnings – last year £5,000 of the £48,000 collected throughout Swindon was raised at M&S.

Anthony Rogers, 64, whose father was imprisoned by the Germans for five years during the Second World War, said he would boycott the shop.

He said: “I think it is disgusting really, I have rarely heard something so shameful.

“The store is no longer British in my books.

“I always thought of it as a highly thought of establishment but I can say they can no longer count on my business.”

Alan Baker, Swindon branch poppy organiser, said: “People are coming up to me and saying ‘why aren’t you outside the M&S?’ “I am so disappointed in the whole situation, considering the present climate.

“People are dying in Afghanistan and M&S won’t support us while we are doing our best to raise money.”

He added that when he wrote to the company’s head office to see if the policy was correct, it failed to reply.

Poppy Appeal supporters are now collecting outside Sainsbury’s in the Brunel Centre.

An M&S spokesman told the Adver last night: “We are a big supporter of the Poppy Appeal and poppy collectors are more than welcome in our Swindon store.

“We apologise for the misunderstanding and encourage them to get back in touch with the store management team.”

The company could not confirm whether disciplinary action will be taken over the matter.