EX-SOLDIERS in Burnley are being called to regroup in the battle to strengthen the Royal British Legion.

The group, which was forced to close its licensed club because of lack of support early this year, is continuing its welfare work. But costs outweigh income to the tune of £19 every week.

Only the generosity of supporters and benefactors has kept the branch in balance, says branch secretary Robert McCaigue in his annual report for the year ended September 13.

Now the branch is appealing to the small army of ex-servicemen in the town to join the branch and keep the flag flying.

Public relations officer Eric Midgley said: "It does seem a shame that we can only manage approximately 350 members out of a possible 15,000." He added: "Both myself and the committee are very proud of our year's work, but we would wish that the younger element of the ex-service community would join the Royal British Legion."

The good news for the year, Mr Midgley added, was that help from benefactors had enabled the branch to buy the leasehold of its Lindsay Street premises.

But members were struggling to raise the cash to repair, renovate and decorate the property, he said.

The report will be presented at the branch annual meeting in Lindsay Street headquarters on October 26 at 11am.

It shows that during the year, branch members made more than 800 visits to the housebound and shopping trips for ex-service families.

There were 140 visits to hospital and more than 150 other calls on members.

The branch's Poppy Day appeal raised a record £14,534, all of which went to national headquarters for welfare and benevolence.

Benefits disbursed in the Burnley area totalled £13,068.

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