ACCRINGTON Royal British Legion has been thrown a lifeline by members of a neighbouring branch.

The branch is fighting for its survival after membership dwindled to just 35. It has represented those who fought in several wars, including the famous Accrington Pals since 1921.

Members of the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch committee agreed to take over the administration of Accrington. But the takeover still has to go before their 100-plus member.

Roy Lockwood, vice chairman of the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch, said: "The concensus of the committee is that we probably would have to take Accrington over, but the county secretary is going to write to every member." The members' vote will take place at a meeting on Wednesday, March 5.

Joanne Fairhurst, Lancashire RBL county secretary, said: "The majority of the committee felt they wanted to go ahead. We have to put it in front of the members. We are going to try everything we can rather than see Accrington close."

But Mr Lockwood said he had still not given up on the idea of Accrington continuing as a separate branch.

Since the plight of the Accrington branch was revealed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph earlier this month, Ray Pilkington, owner of the Accrington Pride restaurant, in Blackburn Road, offered a meeting venue if a new seven-strong committee could be formed.

Mr Lockwood issued an open invitation to the next advice session of the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch on Tuesday, January 21.

"I would like to throw that open to anyone. They would be welcome to talk about any aspect of this takeover," he said.

The meeting takes place from 1pm to 3pm at Enfield Hall in Gatty Park.

If the takeover goes ahead, Church and Oswaldtwistle branch would run the day-to-day administration but Accrington would still run its own Poppy Appeal, the biggest fundraiser of the year.