BLACKBURN'S former Polish Club is set to have new life breathed into it as a restaurant.

Despite officers recommending refusal, councillors decided to back a planning application to create a 75-seat restaurant at the old club, in Shear Bank Road.

A report to Blackburn with Darwen's planning and highways committee claimed that restaurant use should not be permitted in areas which were mainly residential.

In a joint letter to the committee, Councillors Michael Johnson and Hussain Akhtar wrote: "The building is currently vacant and has previous planning permission for us as a club. There are very few residential properties in the area. The property next door is a former care home which has been empty for two years and been subject to vandalism.

"It will serve to enhance the area."

Coun Ashley Whalley told the committee: "I can't see a problem with this application. It can already operate as a club and has done so without problem."

Coun Sue Reid added: "Some of our best restaurants are in residential areas and I can't see the problem in saying no to this area."