Warring parties in a dispute over the future of a social club are raising funds in preparation for a costly court battle.

Kidlington Recreational Trust has begun legal proceedings to evict the trust's social club from its Yarnton Road base.

The cash-strapped club plans to ask Kidlington Parish Council for a £12,500 donation, partly to help cover the costs of the legal dispute.

Club members say the £12,500 annual rent the trust is asking for is excessive - despite the fact that the club had a turnover of £250,000 last year.

The trust plans to cover its costs by holding several fundraising dances, which will be staged in the club.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The trustees have decided to go to court pretty quickly and we have been advised that we have an excellent chance of getting our building back."

Club members claim the trust is trying to hijack the facility, which has been built up over a period of 30 years.

Colin Spiers, club chairman, said: "They want to take over the business and take everything we've made down there to fund the trust.

"We want to pay the trust, but we are a mutual business with a duty to our members.

"The trust is asking for an unreasonable amount.

"This club is in a dire state and needs massive investment.

"Our membership has dropped from 14,000 to 400 because of uncertainty over the club's future. It will take us four years before we can turn it round and pay the trust what they are asking.

"We will contest it because we've got no option. But we'll all be losers."

The social club, which opened in 1972, provides its members with three bars, restaurant facilities and cut-price drinks.