MEMBERS of a workingmen's club are toasting the future they feared had gone up in smoke.

It has been eight long, dry months for members of Daneshouse Working Men's Club, Burnley, since fire swept through the 101-year-old building.

At one point, the future of the Nicholl Street club looked in doubt due to the extent of the damage caused.

But it has been repaired and refurbished, and it was all worth the wait, according to club secretary Ken Cheetham.

He said: "There have been times when it seemed like we would never be back home, that the damage was just too great, but look at it now!

"We have a fabulous new club, with improved facilities for all members.

"We have to thank the other clubs that have rallied round helped us during this closed period, particularly for the loan of facilities to hold meetings and host matches for our club teams.

"The beautiful refurbishment job done here is a credit to Thwaites Brewery."

The pub's longest-standing member, Paddy Salmon, was one of the first on hand to toast the opening of the doors.

Paddy, an ex-president at Daneshouse with more than 40 years' membership, joined Thwaites' sales director Paul Winter to declare the premises open again.

Mr Winter said: "It is a pleasure to see this grand old club get a new lease of life and hope the next 101 years will hold yet more success and many happy hours for the members."

Picture: Ex-president Paddy Salmon with Thwaites sales director Paul Winter and regional sales manager Peter Wrathall and club secretary Ken Cheetham at Daneshouse WM Club.