THE former Franky’s Bar in Darwen was yesterday sold at auction for £50,000.

The bar in Church Street, which was Darwen Central Conservative Club, was badly damaged by fire after an arson attack in November, 2012.

Workmen were called in to make the building safe, which included removing most of the roof, and the structure was left to become derelict.

It was sold at auction in June but the buyers had then pulled out, and it was relisted for sale yesterday with a £20,000 reduction.

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “I really hope the sale goes through this time and someone does something positive.”