A CLUB manager wants to set up regular meetings with residents after a get-together to discuss their concerns about noise.

Angela Calvert, manager of the Clayton-le-Moors Sports and Social Club, got together with residents, councillors and police last week to address complaints of disturbances after private functions.

After hearing residents' views she decided not to hold any more 18th birthday parties at the club, and to employ registered door staff for all other private functions there.

Ms Calvert only took over at the Moor Street club recently and has increased the number of customers. Last week an application to demolish the club and build houses on the land was thrown out by planners at Hyndburn although owners, Bolton-based Fret Lane, plan to appeal.

"The meeting went well and they should be held on a regular basis," she said. "It was to resolve a problem with noise disturbance. There wasn't a problem with the club, it was disturbance afterwards.

"The neighbours went away feeling positive. We reached compromises and said we wouldn't do 18ths any more, which seems to be where most of the trouble comes from. They were happy with that. It worked, it made a difference."

Ward councillor Tim O'Kane said: "It was a positive meeting and since then there was a function on Saturday night. It was the first time door staff have ever been used in a club in Clayton-le-Moors and everything went smoothly. There were no complaints from neighbours.

"It's important we should have somewhere you can have this kind of function. The alternative is private parties in houses and you have no control over them.

Hyndburn Council's deputy Labour leader Coun David Myles said: "The club management is trying to accommodate people. They're running a business, but are bending over backwards to try and make it right."