DOORS from the now closed Haslingden Conservative Club have left Rossendale bound for America.

The glass panelled internal doors were at the top of the stairs leading into the club in John Street.

The club closed and is being sold to the Co-op to develop as a store.

The club committee is hoping for planning permission to convert Bank House Hotel into a new Conservative club.

Brian Lythgoe, treasurer, said: "We had an antiques dealer round and I believe the doors have gone off to America.

"There are also a number of items of furniture to be sold and the rest will go into store for the new premises."

Members are taking the bar which they hope to install in the new premises on Bank Street once conversions are complete.

The commemoration stones will also go there.

Everything has to be out of the club by August 8 and the Co-op takes possession three days later when the building will be stripped and demolished.

In 1870 Haslingden Conservatives were allowed use of an upstairs room in an office building in George Street.

By 1888 the club had acquired the whole building and further extensions were made two years later.

The John Street club was purpose built and opened in 1911 when the Temperance Band played and crowds gathered to see Viscount Wolmer, MP for Newton, perform the ceremony.

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