DETECTIVES hunting arsonists who burned down a Great Harwood nightclub have renewed their appeal for information almost 12 months after the blaze.

And today they revealed that the car driven into Monroe's and set on fire was bought in Oswaldtwistle four days before the blaze which gutted the club.

Police have never traced the man who bought it, but have released a description of him in the hope it will jog someone's memory.

Det Insp Jim Elston made a fresh appeal for information on the blue Peugeot car, registration K490 GHE.

He said: "As a result of our investigations we know the car was sold on Friday, January 28, from wasteland near the Pet Warehouse, in Union Road, where it had been left with signs advertising it for sale.

"As a result of our inquiries two men were arrested. They were interviewed, but were ultimately released because of insufficient evidence.

"We know that neither of them purchased the vehicle and what we haven't done to date is identify the individual that did."

The man who bought the car was white, aged 24 to 27, 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, with a pale complexion. He had blond short hair with distinctive pointed sideburns and had a local accent.

Det Insp Elston said: "If he was an innocent purchaser we would like him to come forward, if not we are appealing to anyone who recognises that description to contact us."

Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Wood Street nightclub, which also damaged the Sportsman's Club, part of the adjoining Great Harwood FC.

Club owner Ian Jackson, of Padiham Road, Sabden, had just been cleared at Preston Crown Court of permitting or allowing the supply of ecstasy at the club and had vowed to re-open it later in the year.