THE Royal British Legion branch in Wallingford is in danger of collapsing if no one comes forward to take over key roles, it has been warned.

The town's branch has been under threat for several years because more people are needed to staff key positions on committees.

Some volunteers came forward last year but more recruits are now needed to keep the branch running.

Treasurer Alec Hayton, also a town councillor and former mayor, said: "We will have no secretary after the annual general meeting in November and that could mean the branch will collapse.

"Linda Shoebridge and her husband Aidan have worked hard for the branch for many years, but Linda has been trying to resign as secretary for several years and she will not be secretary after November.

"We did find someone who agreed to take over but she had to move to Bristol for her work.

"A major problem we have is that the Shoebridges have also been running the town's Poppy Appeal collection, which raises about £15,000 to £20,000 towards the RBL's total every year.

"The secretary, chairman and treasurer have to be RBL members but the person running the Poppy Appeal does not have to be."

Mr Hayton said there were more than 100 members of the branch but the majority were in their sixties, seventies and eighties and it was difficult to get 20 people to attend meetings at the Masonic Lodge.

He added: "Linda and Aidan have worked incredibly hard for the branch for over 10 years but the time has come for them to have a rest.

"If the branch collapses then it collapses, but hopefully that won't happen if new people come forward.

"But the biggest priority is getting a new Poppy Appeal organiser in place as soon as possible.

"We would like more people to attend the meetings and at one point we were thinking seriously about the sports park as a venue but most of the members do not have cars.

"It's a possibility that people from the villages around Wallingford will volunteer to help."

In 2013 Mrs Shoebridge, who has been secretary, acting treasurer, membership secretary and welfare secretary of the Wallingford branch, warned it needed about eight people to come forward to take on committee roles, or it would close, and several people then came forward.

The branch originally dates back to 1921, and ran until 1965 when it folded, but was then re-formed in 1987.

County chairman of the RBL Lynda Atkins said the Wallingford branch was still affiliated to the RBL in Berkshire.

The town and county councillor added: "The presence of the RBL is a huge benefit to the town and I hope people come forward to take up these roles."

Mrs Shoebridge was unavailable for comment.

Anyone who can help should email Mr Hayton at hayton1928@outlook.com