Hounslow Royal British Legion could be back in its old clubhouse less than a year after the building was ravaged by fire, its chairman has claimed.

The roof and top floor of the building, in Whitton Road, Hounslow, were badly damaged in a huge blaze in March but much of the brick building remained intact.

Insurers have been assessing the damage and Andre McGill, chairman of Hounslow RBL, said it was now hoped the building could be open again in nine months to a year.

“We’re definitely going back. The club is dealing with the insurance company and they’re looking at nine to 12 months to get us back in,” said Mr McGill.

“Luckily it’s quite an old building and they were built to last in those days so we won’t have to tear it down and start from scratch.”

Mr McGill added that although he was still waiting to get into the building to see what could be salvaged, he believed most of the memorabilia inside had survived intact.

That includes a plaque honouring Cyril Page, who was branch chairman when the clubhouse first opened. The Chronicle had received a letter from a Mr and Mrs Hyder, who said they had known Mr Page and were keen to see the plaque restored.