BROTHERS of the Royal Anti-Diluvian of the Buffalo today threw open the doors of their secretive world to save it from dying out.

Its Darwen lodge desperately need new members after the number of brothers plummeted from 30 to six in the last 10 years.

The group, known as the Buffs, is a men's organisation similar to the Masons, only less well known, according to one of the brothers, Graham Bielby.

To enter the meeting place in Grimshaw Street, Darwen, members have to use passwords and special door knocks. They are sworn to secrecy about these and will be ousted if they reveal them to an outsider.

Different lodges across the country regularly meet for social occasions and, according to Mr Bielby, Buffs will always help out a fellow brother.

However, the Buffs' main function is vital charity fundraising and the Darwen branch raises several thousand pounds every year for sick youngsters and other charitable organisations.

Mr Bielby added: "Once someone joins up they are in for life. When they find out what we are about they don't want to leave.

"We do a lot of work but don't publicise ourselves like the Masons or the Round Table. We just get on with it.

"However, we we will die out if we don't get new members.

"All we need is an extra member each year and we will be okay. We don't know why we have lost people.

"Many charitable organisations are finding themselves in a similar position.

"I think the attitude these days is not as it was. People don't seem to put themselves out in the same ways to help nowadays."

The Buffs are hundreds of years old and their terms and traditions are still of the time when they were created.

Lodge leaders are called Worthy Primos, their assistants City Marshalls, then City Constables and City Tylers.

They used to have secret handshakes, but now just have the passwords and door knocks which are used at weekly meetings.

Mr Bielby said: "At the time these things were created they were very serious. Now it is just tongue-in-cheek.

"We are a very good humoured bunch of people and we help each other out in adversity and people should be aware of what we are about."

On Friday the Darwen branch will present a £1,500 cheque to the family of a seriously ill 11-year-old boy from Doncaster to help pay for his trip to swim with dolphins.

Anyone wanting to join the Buffs can ring Graham on 01254 581048.