An organisation which supports armed forces veterans is relaunching - after leaders believed many people in the town it served thought it had closed.

Wigton's branch of the Royal British Legion will be given a fresh start this week as it prepares for a relaunch in the hope of attracting new members and donations.

The people behind the group say there had been a few people in the town who mistakenly believed the branch had ceased operating when its traditional base in West Street had shut earlier this year.

Meetings for many years had been held in the West Street Social Club - formerly the British Legion Club - but the venue closed a few months ago, although it has now reopened under new management.

It means the organisation had to find a new meeting place. But it also led many people to believe they had wound up as well.

Brian Warren, a former town councillor, is the group's secretary and treasurer.

He told The Cumberland News : "We used to meet in the West Street Social Club, formerly the British Legion Club, but that had closed down.

"Because of that being closed people in Wigton started to think that the legion in town was no longer there. But we still have a branch.

"We have been talking about relaunching so we can make people aware that we are still here and we are still available to help and support people.

"People think it didn't exist in Wigton anymore but we will try and get a new meeting place."

Last month those who run the legion sat down in Wigton Market Hall to thrash out a plan for the future.

"We had that meeting and it was very worthwhile and the county's fundraising officer was there as well," added Mr Warren.

"What we have agreed is that at Wigton Carnival the British Legion will have a gazebo there at Barton Laws and we will be giving out freebies and trying to promote the group and the upcoming Poppy Appeal at the event."

Wigton's branch still has huge success in fundraising.

Mr Warren continued: "As part of last year's Poppy Appeal, despite Wigton being a small town we managed to raise something like £14,000.

"It's unbelievable how good the people of Wigton are and we want to build on that."

One of the branch's ideas to increase engagement with other groups, especially younger ones, is to introduce a community badge for cadet, scouts and brownies groups, which the legion can help them work towards.

They are also planning on creating a website to allow people to communicate with them more easily.

The branch still has more than 40 members.

Judith Reay, the British Legion's community fundraiser manager for Cumbria, said: "Wigton Poppy Appeal are always on the lookout for keen and enthusiastic volunteers.

"If you can give two hours or more we are looking for supermarket collectors, delivery and collection drivers."

Contact Judith Reay, community Fundraiser for Cumbria on 07917581077 - or email jreay@britishlegion.org.uk.