BOSSES at one of Darwen’s last remaining social clubs have launched a fundraising campaign to secure its future.

The historic Two Gates Bowling and Social Club in Anyon Street, like many other clubs throughout East Lancashire, has seen a decline in membership and profits in recent years.

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But the club’s committee has launched an ambitious refurbishment project of the main function room in a bid to drive membership and increase its offering to the local community.

The modernisation, aimed at catapulting the 117-year-old club into the 21st century, includes mood lighting and a new and bigger dancefloor.

A club spokesman said: “We set off wanting to raise £8,000 to do up the main club room.

“None of that can come from the bar takings as we are a non-profit-making club, so everything we take goes to cover the overheads.

“We raised £3,000 just through donations from members and we are hoping the race night will raise between £2,000 and £3,000.

“We are just like every other club and pub around in that we have to struggle to survive.

“By modernising the room we are shedding the old-fashioned image and we want to be a lot more community based.

“We want to encourage the youth to get involved and any groups looking for a space can use the club.

“This club is 117 years old and we are looking for the people of the town to support us as there are not many clubs left now.”

Sudell councillor Paul Browne is an honorary life member of the club.

He said: “I am all for this as it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, clubs in town and it is important that it continues to thrive.”

l As part of its fundraising, club bosses have organised a race night at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy in Sudell Road, on March 20.

Tickets cost £10 for the event, which includes a potato pie supper and entertainment from rock and roll singer Eddie Robbins, and there will be a bar provided by Blackburn brewery Thwaites.horses and jockeys for the eight races, the first starting at 8.45pm, cost £5 each.

Doors will open at 7pm. For tickets, visit the club or call Jackie Aspden on 07963 795427.