A rival bidder for the British Legion building in Fulham has emerged.

Last month, car dealer Robert Bentley revealed a plan to save the troubled British Legion Club, which is in voluntary liquidation.

He offered to buy the building in New Kings Road, Fulham, and to allow the Legion to remain on a peppercorn rent.

Now Richard Hickey from Battersea has put in an offer for the building which he says is £100,000 higher than Mr Bentley's.

The property developer added: "We have said we will do it on the same terms, which means the club can stay upstairs."

Like Robert Bentley, Mr Hickey, 60, said he would renew the club's lease at the end of 25 years.

He added: "Whether it can survive or not depends on how much money they are left with once its debts have been paid.

"Typically they only get a handful of people in there during the day and if they are employing a barman or two they are almost bound to lose money.

"If they only get a small amount at the end of the deal, then in a few years time there will be another financial crisis and that will be the end of them.

"The rooms upstairs would revert to the freeholder."