MEMBERS of Pendle Croquet Club were celebrating today after being told they could set up home in Victory Park, Barnoldswick, when they leave their current base at Nelson and Colne College.

The club has played the sport on lawns at the college since 1986 but they have been told they must move out by the end of this year to make way for development of the site.

They have been searching for a new home since the college gave them notice in early December 2001.

But at a meeting of the West Craven Committee, councillors approved plans for four croquet courts close to the tennis court in the park.

Chairman of the club, John Beech, said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the meeting. It is very good news.

"Three schemes for the layout of the courts went to public consultation in the sports centre and council shop in Barnoldswick and residents were asked for their views.

"The club will have to put up a security fence to the standard specified by the council and will have to replace the hedges and shrubs that would be taken up to develop the courts.

"The council will allow the club to use part of the existing pavilion as a club house, which will need renovating because it is fairly rundown.

"Because of the urgency of our problems they also agreed that a long term lease would be drawn up quickly so that the club could get contractors on site this Spring with a view to having the facilities ready for the beginning of the 2004 season." The club will receive some funding from the Croquet Association and Awards for All and is hoping several other applications for grants will be successful.

Club members will also make special donations towards the development and Fort Vale Engineering in Nelson will be the commercial sponsor.

Mr Beech said: "The original proposal for Marsden Park in Nelson was expected to cost £750,000 and that is one of the reasons it fell on its face because it was not possible to raise that much money.

"This scheme will cost £100,000 at most but could be as low as £50,000."

Members can now look forward to their first major competition of the year, between April 8 and 21, at Nelson and Colne College.