A BRITISH Legion branch which championed the memory of the Accrington Pals is set to close because there is nobody to run it.

Today, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope led calls for people to rally around the town's Royal British Legion before it was too late.

It was formed in 1921 and has represented those who fought in several wars, including the famous Accrington Pals, the battalion of local men virtually wiped out in the First World War.

Once a thriving branch, membership has now dwindled to just 35, with no committee members left.

Under proposals to save the branch, the administration could be taken over by Church and Oswaldtwistle RBL, which has more than 100 members, with Accrington continuing to run its annual poppy appeal.

The plans will be discussed at the next meeting of the Church and Oswaldtwistle branch later this month.

But Roy Lockwood, vice-chairman at Church and Oswaldtwistle, said: "The branch is just about due to fold. Accrington is possibly one of the best known regiments in the country. The 11th battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment was the Accrington Pals.

"On the first day of battle they lost some 594 out of 720 men. It's as well known in military circles as the charge of the Light Brigade.

"When a town the size of Accrington can't support a legion it's not good."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am very concerned about this and I want to see the branch continue and, hopefully, flourish.

"I think the Royal British Legion has been important for the Pals, to keep their memory alive. But there are others, like local historian Bill Turner, who write the history books, and the memorial service every February, that help to do this.

"But obviously, the Royal British Legion has played an important part in that -- it was set up after the end of the war.

"There are some excellent people involved and I consider them to be good friends of mine. I hope that fresh faces come forward to keep it going."

Mr Lockwood said he would do everything he could to keep the branch going, and appealed for new members to come forward to run the committee.

"If I could get people from Accrington we would help them, but it seems such a shame for a place with such a proud history as Accrington to have no support because there are quite a lot of people in Accrington who are ex-service or interested in the Pals.

"The last thing I want is to lose the name of Accrington in the legion," he said.

"Whether we manage it or not remains to be seen. It would need a secretary and a committee. You need about seven people. You need a working committee not somebody who will sit there and nod.

"The main thing I would like is some people from Accrington to stand up and say I will take this job on -- we need members rolling in."

Doris Cassidy retired as secretary of the Accrington branch in September after more than 30 years, during which time she held every post on the committee.

She said: "We will try every means to ensure it doesn't close. If Church and Oswaldtwistle are prepared to adopt what has been put forward, if it means we keep the poppy appeal going in Accrington to take the burden off Church and Oswaldtwistle, we will do that."

People entitled to full membership must have served in the British armed forces or voluntary reserves. Others can still join by becoming 'associate' members.