MEMBERS past and present gathered at a working men's club last night as time was called on the club after 130 years.

Staff and committee members at Ramsbottom Working Men's Club took the decision to close the venue after three years of trying hard to save it.

The club in Square Street has been run on a voluntary basis by Joanne Nicholas and Malcolm Murray for the past three years.

But despite their best efforts to keep the club open, a dwindling membership and loss of revenue eventually forced the closure.

Joanne said: "It was a sad day, very sad. The place was packed last night, the first time it's been like that for years.

"We just couldn't keep it open, though everyone has tried their best to keep it open. It's been very difficult trying to get young people to come in."

Joanne, who has worked at the club for a total of eight years, added: "It's time to call it a day. We tried all kinds of things to keep the club open, the committee has worked very hard and put an awful lot of work in."

A special farewell party was arranged at the club which first opened its doors to Ramsbottom men in 1873. Affectionately known to locals as the 'Rammy Workers', the club was affiliated to the Working Men's Club Institution in 1898. At last night's party members were treated to a night of cabaret entertainment and buffet.