CLUBBERS will be able to relive the highlights of their youth when a famous nightclub opens for the last time ever.

Eclipse night spot, in Eagle Street, Accrington, has been closed for around three weeks. But current licensee Ken Marland is determined to go out with a bang, and is reopening this weekend for two days of historic clubbing.

The night club became Eclipse 12 months ago after 17 years as Lar De Dars but it will revert to the original name on Sunday for a trip down memory lane.

The decision was made to close the club three weeks ago after its finances were reviewed in light of increasing competition from pubs with late-night licenses in the town. But it is hoped the once-famous nightspot still has enough followers to celebrate the closing in style.

Ken Marland said: "I started as a DJ when it opened in 1984. It was one of the best in the country and we had celebrities every Friday and Saturday. It was incredible. George Michael was in there one night. It is thought of as the first million-pound venue in the area. But then the council started giving licences out like confetti, mostly to pubs and these places have been taking trade away. Accrington has lost a very good night club now which had no problems with violence or drugs."

Following the lead of the Hacienda in Manchester, which reopened for one last time earlier in the year for a special auction of club decor, a special raffle is being held on Sunday.

Everyone who turns up to Lar De Dars over the weekend will get a free raffle ticket. Winners will be able to walk away with a piece of history -- a piece of Lar De Dars itself. Everything from mirrors to neon lights will be on offer.

But the celebrations will be extra special on Sunday, to commemorate the recent death of owner Ken Massom, who died in his Preston home of a massive heart attack aged 55.

Ken Marland said: "The owner felt like it was his fault the club was failing, and he ended up having a massive heart attack. He died worrying about the club.

"It was basically a massive heart attack caused by stress. He was worried about the staff losing their jobs, but it was losing money hand over fist.

"With the current economic climate in Accrington people would rather stay in a pub. It was first affected 12 months ago when Churchills opened. Accrington is now like a ghost town, and the club is like a dinosaur now. I'm gutted but the decision to pull the plug was made a week last Wednesday."

The celebrations will begin at 8.30pm on Saturday, with modern music through to 3.30am. Then Sunday will be the last chance to dance with classic music from Lar De Dars' heyday. After the raffle draw Ken Marland will return to the DJ stand where he began 17 years ago for the last hour before the lights go down for good.