THE Last Post was finally sounded for a group of old soldiers as they bode an emotional farewell to their standard yesterday.

The South Bank branch of the Royal British Legion has been forced to disband after membership fell to just eight elderly ex-servicemen.

Yesterday, the remaining members attended a service at the South Bank war memorial, in King George's Square, followed by a dedication ceremony for their standard at St John's Church.

The secretary of the Middlesbrough RBL branch, Marion Cole, said: "It is very unfortunate that it has happened.

"These remaining men are original members, but they are all quite elderly and they have not been able to bring any younger members into the branch."

The branch was officially wound down at the end of last year, but yesterday saw the group's standard committed to the church for safe-keeping where it will be put on display near a tribute to servicemen from the area who died in conflict.

The South Bank members have been welcomed into other Teesside branches and Mrs Cole said it would be possible for the branch to reopen one day in the future.

She said: "If someone came in years to come and wanted to start the branch again there would be nothing stopping them. But I cannot see it happening.

"Even if a new group was started it would have to have a new standard. Following yesterday's service, the South Bank standard can never come out of the church."

The former South Bank members have now joined more than 400 RBL members in Middlesbrough, as well as members in Redcar.

As well as continuing to help raise money for the welfare of ex-servicemen, they will also be able to enjoy a social club, which the South Bank branch did not have.

Mrs Cole said: "The former South Bank members will be able to use the social club which can make life more interesting.

"The remaining eight members were very keen to continue being active in the RBL, and so we were able to welcome them to groups which have been able to attract new, younger members and have a future."