To mark 100 years since the Armistice of Compiegne was signed and the fighting of the First World War stopped, JCB has created a “Lest We Forget” mini-digger, which has a smattering of red poppies across the paint work.

The unique machine is a 16C-1 model, which has a retail price in excess of £20,000, and will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.  

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Left to right: JCB employees John Watson, Andy Minor, Sean Bowers and Mick Capper putting finishing touches to the machines unique poppy design livery

JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: “JCB is immensely proud to be British and we should never forget how much we as a nation owe to the generation that fought for the freedom we enjoy today.”

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All proceeds from the auction will go to the charity, with bids able to be placed from Friday 5 October via the JCB website.

The winner will be announced at JCB’s world headquarters on Friday 26 October, coinciding with the launch of the Staffordshire Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.