AN under-threat Oxford Royal British Legion club could yet be saved after an “overwhelming” show of financial and moral support.

The Marston RBL Club, which has more than 500 members, faces closure on Wednesday over an unpaid £52,700 tax bill.

However, more than 100 people attended an emergency meeting at the club last night in which 14 members pledged £500 each in an effort to save the popular venue.

Following the £7,000 donation, the club is now hopeful of putting together a rescue package which will see it pay off its debt in monthly £5,000 instalments.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has written to the chairman of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Dave Hartnett asking for leniency over repayments.

But members now face an anxious wait so see if the taxman will accept the terms.

Committee member Faye Cullen said: “The meeting was very positive. We weren’t expecting that many people to turn out and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the support we got.

“Members really don’t want to throw in the towel. They don’t want their club to die because it means so much to them.

“We’re still a bit anxious and apprehensive because until we receive the call next week we’re not sure exactly what’s going to happen. We’re just hoping it will go in our favour.”

The club, in Hadow Road, has been a hub for ex-servicemen and residents for 51 years.

Some members fear the closure could bring an end to the Marston branch of the RBL, which last year raised £8,434 for the Poppy appeal.

Six people face losing their jobs.

Pat Wickson, 67, and her husband Keith, a member of the legion for 40 years, donated £500 to the rescue fund.

Mrs Wickson, of Ousley Close, Marston, said: “It is very important to our lives and we really wanted to show our personal support.”

Former Headington United footballer Danny Maskell, 78, who played for the team before it became Oxford United, also donated cash.

Mr Smith said: “HMRC are supposed to be taking a sympathetic view of organisations in difficulty because of the economic downturn, and there is a compelling case for them to show understanding of the legion’s plight.

“No-one will gain if the club goes under and our community as well as the members would lose a lot.”

HMRC spokesman Jennie Kendall said the department could not comment on individual cases, but said they were keen to work with organisations to help them pay what they owe.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk