WHITEFIELD Golf Club was left counting the cost of flood damage after the clubhouse suffered in storms.

After several days of heavy rain last week, water leaked through the roof of the clubhouse, in Higher Lane, and flooded the cloakroom and gents' toilets.

Staff and golfers had to wade through ankle-deep water and the area was cordoned off until it could be cleaned up.

The damage occurred despite the club spending more than £2,000 on repairing some of the flat roofs. Now club bosses claim the damage could potentially have an adverse effect on the future of the club.

As reported in the Guide, the 75-year-old club and Bardsley Construction have submitted a planning application to Bury Council to build a new clubhouse, new tennis courts and plush apartments.

They hope this will go before the August planning control committee on August 31, but there is some concern over part of the application which is on green belt land.

Simon Cole, development director for Whitefield Golf Club, said: "The survival of the club could well depend upon how the decision goes at the forthcoming planning meeting. The amount of money that needs to be spent to bring the club up to par is beyond our means. A new clubhouse would increase the longevity of the club. The alternative could well be 140 acres of wasteland."