A knitting enthusiast who handmade poppies in aid of the Royal British Legion says she will not be repeating her efforts next year after she was accused of breaching copyright.

Phyllis Ramage, 44, of Edgware, decided to raise money for the legion because her husband’s parents had served in the Second World War and she did not think there was enough support for veterans returning from current conflicts.

She designed a pattern before getting to work with her knitting needles for this year’s poppy appeal.

The mother-of-two sold her design on the shopping website, eBay, giving 100 per cent of the proceeds to the charity, which supports serving members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.

She also made poppies using silver wool as well as plain woollen ones, raising £160 for the charity.

But after transferring the cash, the Open University lecturer was devastated to receive an email from eBay saying the charity had reported her for infringing their copyright or trademark.

Unaware she was not allowed to sell her own poppies without seeking the Royal British Legion’s permission, she said: “I was wounded and insulted. It wasn’t even the fact they said I was in breach of the copyright, there was no expression of gratitude for the money I'd raised – that’s what hurt me the most.”

Her daughters, Joy Mutua, 22, and Georgina Ramage, 14, had also helped sell the poppies to colleagues and friends.

Mrs Ramage said: “My daughters were very annoyed. They felt their efforts hand been ignored and vilified."

Mrs Ramage, who used to be a librarian in Harrow, was planning to make poppies again next year and had already started thinking of ways to improve her design.

But she said: “I won't be doing that now. It’s put me off doing anything specifically for the Royal British Legion, although I will still make a donation every year.

“I’m going to focus on another charity instead – I’ve thought about maybe knitting hats for premature babies or fishermen.”

A Legion spokeswoman said: “Online platforms have made it easier for individuals to support the Poppy Appeal, which is very much welcomed by the charity, however to protect our donors and the iconic poppy brand it is standard practice for us to monitor activities and challenge unauthorised products.

“We are very grateful for all fundraising in support of The Royal British Legion, but ask anyone wishing to use our trusted poppy logo to seek permission from us first.”