A THREATENED Rogerstone club that seemed destined for closure could be dealt a last minute reprieve.

The Redwood Club, Tregwilym Road, Newport, is owned by the Royal British Legion and has for 60 years been home to many local sporting and community groups.

Yet the club seemed set to be shut after running into £140,000 of disrepair and becoming a health and safety risk.

Now after a packed public meeting earlier this month where more than a hundred people turned out to show their support, councillors and legion trustees have entered talks over ways of salvaging the historic building.

"I would rather stay open," said Ivan Beattie, 61, Membership Administrator for south-east Wales Royal British Legion, but said the Legion were not in a position to foot the bill.

"The building needs a large amount of money to be repaired and all of our money is charity money.

"We can't spend charity money on repairs. The money that goes to the poppy appeal and in poppy boxes goes to benevolent causes. And people must know what they are giving to."

The Redwood Club is home to Rogerstone rugby, football and cricket teams as well as dance classes and other community groups.

Ray Stevens currently manages the club on a caretaker basis.

"The meeting went very well," said Mr Stevens, 47.

"They've said we can continue on a week-by-week basis whilst they try to find a way of funding the repairs," he said.

Now a meeting is planned between Legion officials and councillors to discuss ways of keeping the doors of the Redwood Club open.

Councillor Eddie Burke, ward member for Rogerstone, said: "A meeting has been arranged with the trustees and other interested parties and I am hopeful that we can find a way to move forward with a new set up which has the full upport of the community of Rogerstone."