BLACKPOOL'S White Eagle Club could soar into the future with the help of a rescue appeal.

Users of the Hornby Road venue, known popularly as the Polish club, have launched an appeal committee to raise £21,000 needed to ensure its future.

Founded as a base for Polish airmen in World War 2, the club - now a meeting place for dozens of organisations - was put up for bids after the three remaining Polish war veterans who run it decided, as they reached their 80s, they must retire.

Charity Commission rules stipulated it must go to the highest bidder, who turned out to be a Blackpool businessman with £156,000, planning to convert it into a day nursery.

But club members rallied behind the £135,000 bid of Miriam Turek, daughter of a wartime fighter pilot, who pledged to keep it as a living memorial to lost Polish war heroes.

Now they are battling to raise the £21,000 needed to make up the difference before the October 14 deadline.

Appeal committee chairman Bryan Mattimoe said: "Pledges given so far have been very encouraging, but we're planning to hold special fundraising evenings and raffles and do as much as we can in the six weeks before the deadline.

"The club is not just a focal point for the Polish community, but for many others as well - 19 military associations use it and a fair number of social organisations too.

"It's such a well-known, well-run club, with no rowdyism and it's popular with the neighbours."

Mr Mattimoe appealed for the secretaries of all the organisations which use the club to contact him, with a view to co-ordinating a combined fundraising effort.

They, or anyone wanting to make a donation, may contact him on 01253 353761.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.