MORETON'S Royal British Legion Club has had to change its name to Moreton Community Centre to secure its new premises licence - which was granted on Thursday.

The club's usual events are in full swing again, with a disco held on Tuesday night and North Cotswold Jazz Club holding a concert tomorrow night (fri).

The club has also put in a six-figure bid to buy the club premises which have been the subject of a dispute between the Moreton branch, club and the national association over the past year.

The latter is trying to regain possession of the site next to Moreton Station and the case is due to go to court in the middle of the year.

However, club chairman David Johnson said they were hoping, with the backing of the local branch, to sort the matter out before then.

Mr Johnson said: "We made the formal offer through our solicitor last Thursday. It was what we consider a very good offer for commercial premises. I can't reveal the price but it is a six-figure sum.

"The club is optimistic about the future and members were not daunted by having the licence withdrawn by Cotswold District Council's licensing committee last month.

"We lost the licence on a technicality. Because of ongoing difficulties and negotiations with the RBL over the past 13 months, we could not produce our club regulations or list of members.

"We are now going through the process of changing our name, adopting a new rule book and recruiting members - we needed 25 but we already have 80. Everyone who paid the annual affiliation fee to the RBL is being given free membership."

Mr Johnson said security improvements had been made at the club since an attack on an elderly man and a young man back in December. The club is now employing doormen and is installing CCTV inside and outside the premises.

Club members are also being stationed in the car park after events to make sure everyone leaves quickly and without excessive noise.