AN opening date has been set for Rawtenstall's newest nursery which is based in a former working men's club.

Rawtenstall Kids Club will open in the former Greenfield Street Working Men's Club on August 19.

For proprietor Vanda Killeen it will be the competition of a dream as she had been involved in child care since leaving school.

Vanda, of East Street, Rawtenstall, decided to open a nursery when she struggled to find a place locally for her daughter Brogan who will be two next month.

The mum-of-three wrote to every planning officer when they were initially recommended to turn down her application to change the use of the former club which was in a very run-down state.

She finally got permission on her birthday in February and has been working hard to renovate the building since then.

Vanda said: "The kitchen is now in, the flooring is down, the painting has been started and upstairs is nearly finished.

"We can now announce an opening date and I will be taking bookings from then, subject to Lancashire County Council registration which will hopefully be gained by the beginning of September, if not sooner."

Vanda is hoping that Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding has been asked to perform the opening ceremony.

The nursery will have a 27-place baby nursery on the ground floor for children up to four-years-old and the first floor will house a 25-place before and after school and holiday club for youngsters aged four to 11.