WAR veteran Dennis Precey has sold Remembrance Day poppies in Swindon town centre for more than 45 years.

The 79-year-old had his right leg blown off during the war and is recovering from throat cancer.

But he has vowed to continue selling poppies for as long as he can.

His daughter Mary Ferrier, 51, and grandsons Sacha, 31, and Kya, 28, paid tribute to the man they call their hero.

"He is a very courageous man and he lives life to the best of his abilities. We are very proud of him," said Mary.

Dennis was born in Swindon in 1922.

He signed up to fight in the Army in 1941. After a tearful farewell to girlfriend Iris, Dennis left town and joined the Royal Ordnance Corps.

He lost his leg when a box of grenades accidentally blew up during an ammunition dump exercise.

A year later Dennis returned to Swindon where he married Iris and moved to Albion Street.

The couple's only daughter, Mary, was born in 1950.

"Having one leg never stopped dad from doing anything," said Mary.

Dennis had a job at the rail works and drove an adapted car with hand controls instead of foot pedals.

In 1955 he registered as a poppy seller. Mary can remember accompanying helping her father to sell poppies when she was a child.

They used to go to the old market where the Brunel Centre now is for four days at a time, said Mary.

In 1992, Dennis, who has never smoked, was diagnosed with throat cancer.

His voice box was removed and a tracheotomy device was fitted to help Dennis talk.

He told the Evening Advertiser: "I sell poppies because I can."

Last year Dennis raised £600 and he hopes to have collected even more this year.