A CHURCH social club, which has hosted hundreds of celebrations over the decades, is to close exactly 40 years after it opened.

St Alban's Social Club and Function Room, Larkhill, Blackburn, is to close it's doors after a New Year's Eve party due to the high cost of maintaining the building and dwindling membership.

Known to many customers as 'Bonney's', after the former head teacher of the primary school which once stood there, the club formed by parishioners opened at Christmas, 1976.

In its early days membership topped 1,500 and over the past four decades the function room has hosted hundreds of wedding parties, christenings, birthday celebration and other celebrations.

It is also where many parochial groups connected with St Alban's Church met, such as the over-60s club.

The current steward of the club, June Heys, said: It is with great regret that we will cease trading on December 31.

"This is due to the fact that the building is very old and is in need of major repair work which will cost many thousands of pounds which unfortunately we are unable to raise.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of the people that have used the club over the many years.

"A huge thank you goes to the few members that have supported the club through thick and no matter how busy or quiet we have been.

"It has been a great pleasure to serve you all, we have made some very wonderful friends. May God bless you all.

Father Jude Harrison, who is the licensee, said: "The building is simply too expensive to maintain and the numbers of customers is down.

"These are different days and it seems going out pubs and clubs is in decline

"The current steward, June has done a fabulous job but the time was right to close with the current state of the building."

On the club's Facebook page, people gave their memories of the club.

Catherine Eddleston, said: "So sorry to hear this news.

"My family have had some great parties at St Albans our many decades and I thank you all for helping to make each one of these memories special it will be a great loss to both the community as well as the town.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart."