Managers of a sports and social club could launch a legal challenge to a controversial bid by a town council to take it over.

Acting chairman of the Ongar Social and Sports Club, Mark Suker, said the management committee is due to meet today to discuss the challenge to Ongar Town Council’s plan.

The town council has said it will take over the club when the current lease expires next month in order to improve facilities and services for the community.

A poll held in December saw 252 people out of 416 who took part vote against the council’s plan.

But at a meeting last week the council’s finance committee recommended that the plan go ahead despite strong community opposition.

Mr Suker said public opinion had been ignored by the council, forcing the committee to consider legal options.

He said: “We are not resigned to the takeover at all. Yesterday afternoon we had a meeting with a barrister.

“We did not particularly want to go down this route but we have been speaking about the section 25 notice and how they are not going to renew the lease.”

The council has already appointed a new manager for the club.