A HEARTFELT plea for more members has gone out from Chorley Lions.

The well-known charitable foundation has been running in the town for 25 years, but membership is now so low the group is threatened with closure.

Yvonne Day, vice-president of Chorley Lions, said: "If we don't get more members then we are going to have to close.

"We are losing members for one reason or another and we are now down to just eight."

Over their quarter of a century in Chorley, the Lions have raised £187,500.

Yvonne said: "The amount of money that we raise is quite considerable for the amount of members that we have got.

"Obviously the less members you have the less coverage you have of areas."

The club raises funds for various causes in the area, and is also known for starting off Chorley's Christmas lights -- a job later taken over by the council.

Tony Ratcliffe, Chorley Lion's longest serving member, said: "I have been with the club since 1978 and it was quite a big club in those days.

"Sometimes it's hard work, but there's plenty of things to do and there's a lot of fun in it."

He suggested membership may be falling because people have other commitments.

But he added there could also be confusion about what the Lions actually do. "A lot of charities with just one cause have come up now, whereas we are hard to identify because we cover the whole spectrum," he said.

As well as raising money for various causes, the Lions also organise events in the community, for example pensioners' shopping trips at Christmas.

But despite worries over membership levels, Chorley Lions are pressing ahead with their plans for a bonfire spectacular.

This year's event will be the 22nd bonfire night the group have arranged and they are hoping the weather will be kind.

"Last year we probably had four of five thousand people there," said Tony.

"And we raised about three or four thousand pounds. But of, course, it will all just depend on the weather."

The bonfire event and fair will take place at Astley Park on Saturday, November 4.

Chorley Lions meet at Hartwood Hall, Preston Road, Chorley, on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 8pm.