The future of a community hall and the Bridport branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) are in jeopardy unless more volunteers are found.

Membership of the legion is declining, and the branch - which raises tens of thousands of pounds for the RBL for the welfare of ex-servicemen each year - has been able to carry on, as well as the Royal British Legion hall in Victoria Grove, through the commitment of a few members.

However, the long-standing office holders want to retire and there are no volunteers for chairman and treasurer, which the group says the branch cannot legally operate without.

This 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.

A spokesman said: “The membership of the legion is declining and, sadly, its members are becoming more infirmed. The result is that many branches have been forced to close over recent years for lack of active members.”

Brigadier John Dean, president of the branch, acknowledged that there may be little demand for a branch as the welfare of local members is controlled centrally, he said the charity’s annual Poppy Appeal would go ahead.

He said: “In the past years, the town has generously contributed around £20,000 each year to the appeal.”

If no one comes forward to volunteer as treasurer or chairman in the next month, the process of closing the branch will begin.

Anyone who can help should email bridportrblhall@outlook.com, message the Royal British Legion Bridport Facebook page or call 01308 897928 for more information.