THE roof of a former British Legion club collapsed after the building was targeted by arsonists.

The social club, in Water Street, Radcliffe, was broken into and the first floor was set alight.

Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after midnight yesterday.

Building inspectors from Bury Council are now assessing whether it will have to be pulled down.

Crews from Whitefield, Farnworth and an hydraulic platform from Bolton central attended.

Ian Ainsworth, watch manager at Farnworth, said: “The building was empty and was boarded up.

“It appeared that someone had broken in and set fire to the first floor. We were there for about four hours as it was dangerous because of the way the roof had fallen in, which made the building unsafe.“ Firefighters were damping down at the site yesterday.

The British Legion was forced to close the branch in April 2006 because of financial difficulties and moved to an office in Heber Street.

It had been based in Water Street for 83 years but dwindling membership and a lack of money led to the branch falling on hard times.