The Armed Forces' favourite model met Britain's oldest surviving war veteran to launch a scratchcard in aid of this year's Poppy Appeal.

Nell McAndrew struck a jaunty pose with Henry Allingham, a 107-year-old First World War veteran from Eastbourne, to promote the appeal on HMS Belfast in London.

The Royal British Legion hopes the scratchcards, which could win punters up to £10,000, will raise money for ex-servicemen ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 9.

Wearing a Forties-style polka dot dress and sailor's hat, Ms McAndrew planted a kiss on the war veteran, who lives in Chesterfield Road, Eastbourne.

She said: "What an amazing man. I want to speak to him more. He has my lipstick all over him!"

Ms McAndrew, who turns 30 next month, said she felt honoured to meet the war heroes.

Wearing two medals, Mr Allingham who served in the Royal Navy in 1915, pledged support for the scratchcards.

He said: "They (the veterans) have given all they have got for the country. I owe them, we all owe them."

The Argus told yesterday how Mr Allingham is to receive France's highest military honour, the Legion D'Honneur, at Eastbourne Town Hall on Tuesday.