THE Royal British Legion's Burnley social club has closed - but the organisation continues to do its vital work for the town's ex-servicemen and women and their dependants.

The branch, based at 60 Lindsay Street, is still open and active and provides a wide range of help to those who have served their country.

It is estimated that about 15,000 Burnley people qualify for assistance from the Legion.

Anyone who has drawn one week's pay from the armed forces is eligible.

The town's branch has around 350 members, and officials work tirelessly, not only during the annual poppy appeal - which raises most of the money - but all year round.

A spokesman said: "It is only the social club that has closed, through lack of support.

"We are still here to look after the interests of the ex-service community and their dependants, regarding, in the main, pensions, welfare, benevolence, monetary problems, bereavement and many other of the facets of life where we can help and guide people in the right direction.

"The branch office is open and manned Monday-Friday 10am-noon by a committee member, and the full committee meets Thursdays at 6.45pm to discuss cases and problems.

"Outside these hours we can be contacts by answer-phone on 453631.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.