LEIGH'S former Royal British Legion Club could be demolished to make way for homes.

Plans have gone before Wigan Council for planning permission to build 28 apartments and five town houses, with access and car parking, on the site of the Windermere Road club.

The application was submitted by Sean Flynn, of B and D Croft Ltd, Leigh. Mr Leigh said residential planning permission had been granted for the site some months ago, and his company had an option on it subject to planning permission.

He he did not wish to say more until matters had been finalised.

The club, built in the 1950s, was the base for an active 400-strong Leigh British Legion branch, and in its time was one of Leigh's hottest entertainment venues.

As membership declined, the building fell into disrepair. After a hard battle for survival, the Last Post finally sounded for the venue following the 2000 Remembrance Day parade.

The building was sold to a Leigh businessman who gave it a facelift, renamed it the Leigh Ex-Servicemen's Club and opened it up for community use, for which it continues to function.

Meanwhile, the Leigh British Legion branch is operating from its adopted headquarters at Leigh Conservative Club, and is still seeking a home of its own.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham recently urged the national Royal British Legion Association to work with the 20-plus Leigh members to find ways of re-establishing a permanent base.