MEMBERS of one of Blackburn's oldest social clubs are celebrating the news they will definitely get a new clubhouse after their current venue was made subject of a compulsory purchase order.

The Railway Club, in Freckleton Street, Blackburn, is to be demolished to make way for the widening of the bridge linking Freckleton Street and Bolton Road, to improve traffic flow.

After the shock news in September the club's 170-strong membership were left worrying about the future of the club which had for four decades been the venue of countless parties, games nights and get-togethers.

But last week it was confirmed Blackburn with Darwen Council would build a new club house or refurbish a suitable building on land in an an area nearby, at no cost to members.

Railway Club stalwart Eddie Duxbury said: "Railway Club members were very upset by the news that the club would have to shut down to make way for the construction of a new bridge. All very well we thought, improving the traffic flow in the Bolton Road, Darwen Street bridge area, but what about our club which has been the centre of a great social era for 40 years?

"Then at a meeting last week came the great news. This is tremendous for the members."