Restoration work at Hounslow Royal British Legion's clubhouse is finally getting underway, nine months after the building was gutted in a huge blaze.

The veterans charity secured planning permission on Monday (December 15) to rebuild its home in Whitton Road, which was ravaged by fire in March.

Club treasurer Val Tyler said it had been a difficult nine months but she now hoped the building would be restored by the end of spring. She added that the work was fully covered by insurance.

Hounslow RBL said after the fire that it hoped to be back in by Christmas, but it is understood building work was held up by the long wait to secure planning permission for a new roof.

Mrs Tyler said: "They're starting work on the roof today and we're quite excited that things are actually starting to move after all this time.

"The building will be rebuilt like for like and while there's no set completion date I'm hoping we can move back in by the end of spring."