A CONCERNED chairman of an ex-servicemen's club fears closure could be on the cards if a vital takeover deal is not secured.

Royal British Legion Chislehurst chairman Doug Parslow says three-quarters of the club's 450 members need to agree to a new company taking over.

The New Legion Clubs (NLC) is a subsidiary firm of the Royal British Legion.

It has been set up to help struggling social clubs across the country make ends meet and generate more membership.

Mr Parslow, 60, says the Chislehurst branch in Green Lane, has lost 150 members in the past three years and could close in a "matter of months" if the deal is not struck.

He said: "Club rules state we need 75 per cent of our members to agree to NLC taking over.

"This is around 340 yes' votes needed to clinch the deal.

"But if we do not get this, we will simply collapse and it would only be a matter of months before we would have to close."

He added: "We are struggling to meet costs and over the years members have either moved on or died and we are finding it difficult to generate interest.

"The NLC deal is the only way forward. If we are successful, this would be the first such deal in London for the Royal British Legion."

If the NLC took over, it would see the club benefit from up to £150,000 of investment.

This would be used for a wholesale refurbishment, improving disabled access and installing a kitchen.

It would also be run by professional management, which has seen failing clubs in other parts of the country turn around and increase membership.

Father-of-two Mr Parslow says the new set-up would also see beer prices drop as new managers could negotiate better deals.

He is urging all members to take part in the ballot at the club, which will be held over six days from March 22 to March 27.

The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 and is the UK's leading charity providing financial and emotional support to ex-servicemen and their families.