A Royal British Legion club is set to shut after "struggling to maintain its member numbers".

The Shepway and Park Wood Royal British Legion Social Club has been held in The Pavillion in Bicknor Road for more than 15 years, alongside rugby club, Weavering Warriors RFC.

However, Royal British Legion (RBL) has confirmed the club will be closing at some point in the future.

A RBL spokesperson said: “The most I can confirm at this point is that a decision has been taken by Legion members to close the club in Shepway and Park Wood on Bicknor Road but I am unable to provide any other details such as dates at this stage.”

Ex-officers, servicemen and women are currently welcome to the pavillion, which has an in-house bar, on five evenings a week from around 7pm.

The Weavering Warriors use the building on Thursdays after training and Saturdays following matches.

"It is obviously a great shame to see the RBL group leaving our area and we will do anything we can to try to keep them in the ward but understand the need to close if there are not enough members...” - Cllr Matthew Burton

Cllr Matthew Burton who represents Park Wood said: “From what I understand, the branch has been struggling to maintain its member numbers for quite some time.

"It is obviously a great shame to see the RBL group leaving our area and we will do anything we can to try to keep them in the ward but understand the need to close if there are not enough members.”

The RBL spokesperson added: “Legion clubs are run separately from RBL branches and the charity’s welfare work.

"They are not part of the charity but operate under a licence issued by the Legion to use our name.

“The activities of each club is separate to our branches and the Shepway and Parkwood branch will soon be undergoing a re-launch and we are actively encouraging new members to join.

“The Royal British Legion’s support and services for local beneficiaries in the community will still be available.”