Bosses at Surbiton British Legion have insisted that the club will stay alive, despite £11,300 being stolen from behind the bar.

Police are investigating the thefts, which took place between February and July last year, but so far no arrests have been made.

Members at the Hollyfield Road club have criticised the management for not taking enough action and the matter will be dragged up at the club's AGM next month.

Member Dave Hughes, 71, said: "There's a few of us who want to know what's going on. Nobody is talking about it on the committee for some reason. They won't tell us anything."

He and two other members asked police for progress on the investigation and claimed they were told the case had been closed at the request of the club, something club secretary Joe O'Regan and the police denied.

The club, which has been in Surbiton for more than 80 years, is funded by subscriptions and the 892 members each hold a share in the club.

Another member said: "We can't claim insurance because no one has been caught. It stinks. All members are shareholders so it's our money."

But Club Secretary Joe O'Regan insisted he did all he could to track down the culprit, including setting traps, but said: "Unless you can prove it or someone owns up to it, what can you do?"

He said the future of the club is secure because it has a healthy bank account, but the cash would have been spent on building maintenance.

He added: "It was a lesson for the club without a doubt. Most people, including myself, are annoyed because it was a very expensive lesson."