AN APPEAL to save a local Royal British Legion (RBL) branch which is at risk of closure is set to launch after it went into administration since failing to find enough volunteers to keep it going. 

Membership of the legion is declining, and the branch - which also runs a community hall and used to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the RBL for the welfare of ex-servicemen each year - was able to carry on through the commitment of a few members.

However the Bridport branch has been put under county administration after the long-standing office holders wanted to retire - and with no volunteers for chairman and treasurer the group says the branch cannot legally operate.

This also means that the RBL hall in Victoria Grove, which is used by local groups, organisations and charities for fundraising events, could close without a group to run it.

However an appeal to save the branch from completely closing down is set to launch, calling for people to come forward to volunteer and become committee members so they can help run the branch and the hall.

Former chairman of the Bridport RBL branch, Richard Cunningham said: "For a branch to keep going it needs active members.

"You have to have a committee to run the hall - it is not a community asset, it is run by the branch."

The RBL has approximately 8,400 Legion members across the county, with around 30 branches, which are supported by 15 RBL Clubs.

The charity was formed in the aftermath of the First World War to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little. Today, the RBL continues to provide life-changing help and support to the Armed Forces community and challenge injustices on their behalf.