A STRUGGLING working men’s club was targeted by arson yobs, causing damage to the building.

Vandals gathered rubbish and a sofa that had been dumped nearby and set fire to the pile, which had been pushed up against the exterior of the Longshaw Unity Working Men’s Club, Bryan Street, Blackburn.

The incident is another blow to bosses of the venue. Like many other similar clubs in the are bosses said they are suffering from a drop in business.

Club steward Tony Heyworth said the fire, on the Abraham Street side of the premises, damaged the wall, an air conditioning unit and drainpipes.

Smoke also go into the first floor of the building, through the ventilation unit.

Mr Heyworth said: “It is sad that people do things like this but in a way I’m not surprised.

“We haven’t had too many incidents like this in the past thankfully, but the area we are in you do expect some problems."

He said that the club has been struggling recently.

He added: “We are very quiet at the moment, much like many other clubs in the area, and incidents like this do not help.

"Last night only the games room was open.

“Luckily the damage is not too bad. You do worry though about possible future incidents because there’s little you can do to stop them.”