RESIDENTS have lost their battle to stop an abandoned working men's club re-opening as a restaurant and conference centre.

More than 40 people living around Cob Wall Working Men's Club, Daisy Lane, Blackburn, attended a meeting of the borough's planning and highways committee in a bid to halt the proposals.

But councillors gave the go-ahead to the scheme after being told that the building could re-open as a working men's club at any time because it already has an alcohol licence.

Under the proposals, the club will be redeveloped to include a restaurant and conference centre.

Plans to include a function hall to hold events like weddings was ditched after initial objections from residents nearby, who feared it would lead to massive traffic problems.

Since the club closed, the nearby Daisyfield towerblocks have been redeveloped by owner Twin Valley Homes to provide sheltered housing.

Ann Law-Riding, speaking on behalf of the residents, said: "The average age of the residents in Daisyfield Flats now is 75 and we already have very limited parking for residents.

"We have seen problems elsewhere in the borough where function rooms and conference centres are given permission, especially with parking."

Alison Rowland, representing developer Atif Khan, said: "The building is licensed so could re-open anyway but we feel this development will be for the good of the area."

But Coun Andy Kay said: "I think we have got as much as we can from this proposal.

"And while I understand the concerns put forward, I feel there are enough conditions on this application to make sure it will work."