BURNLEY Miners' Club, in Plumbe Street, has been named as one of the best run clubs in the country.

The honour came from the official magazine of the Club and Institute Union when it was chosen as club of the month.

Plumbe Street is well known for its charity efforts. Members raised more than £16,000 for a cancer ward at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, in memory of popular barmaid Samantha Bythell.

The cash rolled in through a series of fund-raising events ranging from marathon snooker, darts and boating sessions, headshaves and concerts to a no smoking day.

Today, her memory lives on in Sammy's bar, which was named after her.

Others have also benefited from charity events at the Miners: around £1,000 was contributed to help send sick youngster Kris Jagger on holiday to Florida, and more than £1,000 has helped two schools for underprivileged children.

The Miners is also in line for two further awards and has been nominated for club refurbishment of the year and club entertainment of the year.

But one activity more than any other has made the Miners the institution it is.

They drink more Benedictine there than anywhere else in the world.

Club trustee Harry Eccleston has even been known to drink it in the bath!

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