AN historic British Legion branch which ceased to exist in its own right is unlikely ever to start up again.

The Accrington branch of the legion 'closed' last year.

There were not enough members willing to take on key roles like treasurer and secretary.

It was formed in 1921 and over the years has represented former soldiers who fought in several wars, including the Accrington Pals, who were almost wiped out in the First World War.

The group was taken over by the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch, who take care of the day-to-day Accrington administration.

But the Accrington branch is unlikely to ever exist under its own name again.

Roy Lockwood, vice-treasurer of the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch, said: "It survives and we are not going to let it go.

"We are going to keep going as long as we live, and we are not going to let it disappear.

"They're still taking members if anybody wants to join the branch.

"But it won't start up again in the foreseeable future. Not unless we get a big influx of members of the type that would want to take over the administration of it."

The branch technically still exists, but as a sub-branch of Church and Oswaldtwistle.

There are about 35 members but no organising committee.

This means that Accrington members have fewer voting rights and cannot send a representative to the legion's national committee meetings.

Mr Lockwood said: "It's a sub-branch so they have no officers, just a representative on our committee. We keep the bank books for it.

"The only thing they don't get is a candidate for a national conference.

"You just lose a little bit of voting power in certain areas. it doesn't really matter all that much."

The news comes just days before the 60th anniversary celebrations of D-Day, on June 6.

Local historian Bill Turner, who also belongs to the legion's Haslingden branch, said: "It's a shame, particularly at this time, when we are commemorating the events of D-Day and the Second World War.

"It's very much in our minds. It's sad that a town the size of Accrington doesn't have it's own legion branch."