The London Hardwood Club, which has been going for 70 years, could disappear unless younger people step up to serve on the committee, president Peter Whiting has told members.

Speaking at the club’s new year lunch last week, Mr Whiting said: “The club needs young blood. We are getting very close to crisis.”

Pointing to the ages of the current committee, he added: “We can’t continue. There has to become a stage when enough is enough.”

He pointed out that 90 people were attending the event so “there have to be people sufficiently interested in seeing the club continuing”.

The club’s AGM will be held in May.