Bosses at an Asda store have removed a Poppy Day display that depicted a dead soldier following complaints.

The tribute, made by staff at the Harpurhey supermarket, featured a tree, poppies, and the crumpled figure of a fallen serviceman.

Brad Wray, 26, of Droylsden , who served in the Royal Air Force for seven years, complained on Twitter.

He told the M.E.N: “As someone who is ex-forces, I found it in pretty bad taste.

“Everything done by the Royal British Legion is very professional and respectful.

“For someone who has served and seen casualties on the battlefield, or a family member who has lost someone, to walk and see that could really trigger stress. I’m glad it was changed.

"It also seems insensitive that the display is in front of the Halo shoot-out game."

But others felt the display should have been retained. Andy Kay wrote on Facebook: “Removed a fallen soldier poppy statue because it offended people. Well it’s removal offends me.”

And Derek Hanstock said: “Cowards! It’s disgusting that you have removed the poppy display. I’ve spent my last penny in any Asda.”

An Asda spokeswoman said the display was intended as a mark of respect.

She said: “We’re proud to support the Poppy Appeal in our stores across the UK and have been welcoming volunteers from the Royal British Legion into our stores to sell remembrance poppies.

“Our colleagues have been holding fundraising activities in stores to support the Poppy Appeal and it was not our intention to cause offence with the poppy display at the Harpurhey store.

“There were a couple of complaints about the use of the mannequin within the display so a decision was made to remove the mannequin but leave the rest of the display and poppies standing.”