THE Athelstan Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes will have to close by the end of June unless a new secretary is found.

The membership of the buffaloes, who work on a principle of brotherhood to help raise money for the community, has been declining.

The problem has got to the stage where the lodge is under threat and will have to close after more than 52 years working in the Malmesbury area, said current secretary Nigel Vizor.

He is stepping down from the role after 20 years for personal reasons and is trying to get more people involved.

He said: "We are not giving up hope yet but the current situation is very sad."

There is evidence to show that the group existed in Malmesbury before 1950.

The group once had more than 30 members, but numbers have declined to eight in the last few years.

Mr Vizor said: "We have tried very hard to raise money and given thousands over the years to local causes like Malmesbury Hospital."

The group meets every Monday from 8pm at the Duke of York on Holloway Hill. Pat Reynolds, 75, has been a member for more than 30 years. He said: "It is one of the oldest associations in the town. When I joined in 1960 there were 38 members in the club. Most have died or moved away.

"We have written letters and unfortunately nobody has replied. We are all ageing and there is no one to take the job. I have had some great times and raised a lot for local charities, the air ambulance and hospital."

The group's plea for more members comes just a week after Malmesbury Lions announced they would have to close because of a lack of numbers.

Mayor of Malmesbury Charles Vernon said he was disappointed that the future of another voluntary organisation was in jeapordy. He said: "It is blow to the local community as another fundraising body once again looks like it may have to close."

To contact the group, call (01666) 825517.