DARWEN FC have settled a debt to a local radio station which had left the club possibly facing a winding up order.

The club was given a deadline of tomorrow to respond to solicitors acting on behalf of The Bee radio station.

But two days before the matter was set to go to court the club has paid up.

Last week when the winding up order was issued club owner Ted Ward had insisted the debt would be paid.

The order allegedly related to advertising debts which totalled over £8,000 for a series of adverts from the past year.

A hearing was to take place at Preston County Court on Friday.

Simon Brierley, The Bee station manager confirmed the debt had now been settled.

He said: "As an independent small business our cashflow is critical to our survival."

Darwen Football and Rugby Club is based at the Anchor Stadium, Anchor Road, Darwen, and was incorporated as a limited company in April last year following a takeover by businessman Mr Ward.

Mr Ward refused to comment on the matter.

Darwen FC can trace its beginnings more than 130 years as one of the first members of the Football League after its creation in 1888. Darwen FC is in division two of the Vodkat Northwest Counties League.

Recently Mr Ward announced plans to build a 5,000 capacity stadium, with shops and a hotel, on land at Robin Bank.