THE Romsey branch of the British Legion is at risk of closure after almost a century.

The Love Lane-based branch could shut forever after 97 years if a new committee will not be formed by January 2019.

This comes after former committee members retired and no-one stepped forward.

Cllr Peter Hurst became treasurer of the Romsey branch in February 2018 in a bid to help saving it and said at least five committee members, including a secretary and a chairman, are needed ahead of the annual general meeting on January 11.

Test Valley Borough Councillor Peter Hurst. Test Valley Borough Councillor Peter Hurst.

He said only one person representing the Romsey branch of the British Legion took part in the Remembrance parade in the town centre this year and there has not been a committee meeting since last January.

“There is no committee work to do because we don’t have the committee members and the resources. If we can get people coming forward we can continue but if people will not be willing to be part of the committee we will have to close,”he said.

The closure process includes the laying up of the Romsey Standard, meaning that once laid up it may not be paraded.

Customers can recycle their used paper poppies at the Sainsbury’s store in Oldbury. Customers can recycle their used paper poppies at the Sainsbury’s store in Oldbury.

The Romsey branch is responsible for helping organise the Remembrance parade in the town centre and run fundraising activities and events to remember those who lost their lives in armed conflicts.

“Remembrance is very important and to not have a Romsey-based organisation to run all of that and contribute to all of that would be a great loss,” councillor Hurst added.

He said the branch has 900 members currently registered but said many of them may not be aware of the issue.

“The problem is we have not communicated with the members very well. I tried to improve communication but it was quite difficult because there are not enough people to do it,” councillor Hurst added.

A final decision will be made at the meeting set to take place at 7pm on January 11 at the British Legion Club in Love Lane. The Club is the commercial organisation responsible for the running of the premises.

To help call 01794 502819.