THE district's biggest ever cribbage tournament has had to be postponed after fire destroyed Daneshouse Working Men's Club, Burnley.

The 30th anniversary contest of the George Gregory pairs knockout competition was scheduled to be held at the club at the end of next month.

But club officials are determined to stage the event, even if it has to be delayed for months or held at a different venue.

"We have run this competition every year and people from all over the region flock to take part," said secretary Ken Cheetham.

"Last year 100 people joined in and early indications this year were even better than that."

"The event is not cancelled, only postponed. It could be four or five months before we reschedule it, but we won't be beaten."

A decision on when and where the event is to go ahead will be made after assessors and loss adjusters have completed their reports.

The top floor of the club in Nicholl Street has been demolished and the ground floor extensively damaged by last week's fire.

It is now thought the fire was started by an electrical fault or careless disposal of smoking materials and not arson as was at first feared.

An announcement about the club's future is expected after the Burnley Fair holidays in July.