PLANS to bring back a Royal British Legion branch are being backed by councillors and residents.

The old legion branch at the Victoria Club on Colliery Road in Willington, County Durham, folded in 2003 when two of its elderly leaders died and it did not have enough volunteers to continue.

A public meeting was held this week to discuss plans to open a new branch at Willington's Resouce Centre.

Beverley McMahon, honorary poppy organiser said: "I think it would be great for Willington if we had a branch here, Crook and Bishop Auckland have them so we should too.

"The Remembrance Sunday services are always greatly attended here so I think a branch would be quite popular."

Joe Buckham, chairman of Willington Community Action Group said: "I am more than happy to support the proposal, Willington is a decent sized area and should have a branch.

"We took over the armistice day services when the old branch folded and I think this would be a good development for the legion."

Lillian Bennett, 67, from Kensington Terrace in Willington attended the public meeting and hopes to be a volunteer if the proposal is successful.

She said: "I would absolutely love a legion branch back in our town, so many organisations like schools and the scouts get involved with the legion and hold services at the cenotaph but having a branch would promote the cause even more."

Mrs McMahon will be consulting the action group and Durham County Council over the next few months and hopes to have a decision made by the new year.