THE numbers have come up for Blackburn's bingo army after a run of bad luck.

They have been given back the key of the door to the community centre where they hold their weekly sessions.

For two weeks the group of around 20 pensioners were forced to cancel their get-togethers because of blocked drains at Bank Top Community Centre.

The problems started when North West Water mistakenly shut down the drainage system which meant there were no toilet facilities. And the pensioners didn't fancy crossing their legs-eleven!

Muriel Black, who organises the Tuesday night sessions and who lives opposite the Oakenhurst Road centre, said: "They were all quite upset about it, it's a nice day out for them and they really enjoy it. It's something they look forward to.

"After a couple of games of bingo we have tea and biscuits.

"Everyone is just glad it's back open again."

The temporary closing of the centre also meant the local community association lost money.

"We had to cancel a number of events because we cannot let the public into a place with no toilets," explained Peter Newton, the chairman of the Bank Top Community Association.

"We hold luncheon clubs for the old folk and a disco for the youngsters was cancelled."

Mr Newton's mother-in-law, Jenny Dobrawalski, who is 82, is one of the senior citizens missing out on the bingo.

A spokesman for North West Water said: "Our contractors were not aware that there was a connection to the centre when they shut the pipe off."