Poppy appeal complaint in Little Common

Shop keepers John and Maria Brennan were "perplexed" by reaction to their request to charity collectors to stand to the side of their window.

They put up a "polite" note at Harmony Blinds on Peartree Lane asking collectors to position themselves on one side of the window or the other so as not to block out the display.

On Saturday John received a call from BBC South East News to say that there had been a complaint - this was followed by interest from both Southern Counties Radio and Meridien News.

Now the couple want to put the record straight and give their side of the story.

Maria said: "It started last week with the poppy sellers. We asked them - very politely - if they could move to one side or other of the display, so as not to block it."

On Saturday John put up a sign asking collectors not to stand in front of the window display rather than keep going outside because of the change-over every hour.

The couple claim they have never minded collectors standing on their forecourt and have even offered chairs to elderly ones out there.

Maria commented: "I have taken out drinks on occasion - that certainly doesn't sound like somebody telling them to shoo off."

Nobody made a direct protest to the couple but on Saturday John was contacted by the BBC and has been interviewed since on radio.

John added: "We just feel this is a complete misunderstanding somewhere along the line.

"There has been no animosity - this is totally out of the blue.

Maria said: "We are perplexed because we have always been very cordial to them and they have been friendly back, and I thought we had quite a good relationship with them."

Little Common Royal British Legion club secretary Ann Smith told the Observer she had made enquiries but did not know if the complaint came from a collector or a passer-by.