A crisis is facing one of Kent’s best-loved charities and could spell the end of a Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Sunday parade.

The stark warning has come from the Canterbury branch of the Royal British Legion, whose ageing veterans are dwindling in numbers, leaving the remaining members battling to operate effectively.

Its acting Poppy Appeal organiser, Andrew Heatlie, is standing down in June with no successor in line, and the branch has also lost its depot from where the collection is run.

His deputy, branch stalwart Gerry Ferrett, is also retiring after 40 years of dedication, during which he has also been chairman and president.

“As it stands, there is a real danger that we may not be able to provide poppies this year or have a Remembrance parade or wreath-laying,” said Mr Heatlie.

With an average age of more than 70 and its oldest member, John Marsh, aged 89, the branch is struggling to survive.

Yet it has a history dating back to the 1920s and has raised more than £1 million over the decades through its poppy appeal to support veterans and their dependents, including £57,000 last year.

The branch recently suffered a blow when the building it uses as a temporary depot - the former Oddfellows hall in Orange Street, which was last home to Bramley’s cocktail bar - was sold off at auction.

“The accommodation provided to us for many years is now no longer available and we are desperate to find an alternative,” said Mr Heatlie.

“Without accommodation, we obviously cannot continue to organise the appeal as it is the hub of our activities over a five-week period, enabling us to issue and control a large number of poppy boxes and other items that are needed.

“We also distribute numerous wreaths for the main ceremony at the Buttermarket Memorial in Canterbury on Remembrance Sunday.

“It could be the case that we simply cannot provide the wreaths for the various VIPs and veterans’ organisations to lay on the memorial.

“We have made numerous inquiries for accommodation at possible venues but with no success.”

The branch’s new chairman, Michael Scarse, is launching a recruitment drive in a bid to bring new ‘young blood’ into the group.

The branch is also preparing an Armed Forces Day parade on June 28, which will be the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day.

But Mr Heatlie says the most pressing needs are to secure a new Poppy Appeal organiser and temporary depot accommodation in October and early November.

Anyone who can help or wishes to become a branch member can call him on 07794 829037 or president Jan Edis on 07552 439551.