Elderly Royal British Legion members in Bradford are desperate for younger blood to continue their vital welfare work.

More than half the district's branches have closed in the last few years and many of the 11 remaining are struggling.

The 500 members left in the district are pinning their hopes on a recruitment drive on Saturday, February 1, when each member is asked to bring a new recruit along.

John Crick, aged 81, is chairman of the Wyke and Low Moor branch, one of the biggest with 60 members.

"Many of our members are older than me," he said.

"Most of the ex-servicemen and women from the Second World War are in their 70s and 80s, but we need younger ones so the Legion has a future."

Anyone aged 18 or over who has served in the forces can join the Legion. People who have not served can also join as associate members and work as case workers on a voluntary basis.

Mr Crick, who joined the Legion 15 years ago after serving in the Royal Air Force for 25 years, said: "People see us selling poppies or on parade. But our welfare and fundraising work goes on all year round."

Jim Hargreaves, 82, is welfare secretary for the Bradford district and has been a Legionnaire for almost 50 years.

He said: "We used to have 25 branches but now we have just 11 active. Some of those just do poppy appeal work rather than any welfare. Most branches, apart from Wyke, Keighley and Bradford Central, have an average of about 30 members."

The 2002 poppy appeal pulled in £22 million but the Legion spent £40 million on welfare work. It funds its own residential care homes and holiday homes. and gives training to those who leave the forces and want to get into a trade or start up a business.

The Legion fought for years for pensions for former service people and for compensation for Japanese prisoners of war, who all received £10,000 in 2000.

Anyone who wants more information should ring Mr Crick on (01274) 674332 or for the Bradford district Mr Hargreaves on (01274) 726020.