A GOLF clubhouse was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in Harwood.

The blaze at Bolton Open Golf Club's derelict former clubhouse was tackled by firefighters for up to three hours on Tuesday night.

Residents said the clubhouse and its car park have lain empty for about four years and become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

Owners of the building have tried to gain permission to demolish it and turn it into housing in the past, despite the land being in the green belt.

Only last week, an appeal against Bolton Council's decision to reject a plan to transform it into eight houses was thrown out by the planning inspectorate.

An investigation into the blaze is underway, with firefighters saying they believe it was maliciously started.

Firefighters issued a warning to yobs to stay away from derelict buildings after three fire engines and 16 firefighters were deployed to Bolton Open Golf Club.

Watch manager at Bolton Central, Ian Read said: “We had restricted access and weren’t able to get our hydraulic platform vehicles close to the building.

“With it being derelict the car park was closed off so we had to get ladders over to the building to get the fire out.

“People should stay away from derelict buildings they are very dangerous and have live cables, missing floors and broken glass.

“This was a deliberate fire — people should stay out of the buildings as they are not safe.”

Metal shutters had to be ripped away from the building by firefighters, while some had started to curl because of the heat.

The fire caused substantial damage to the roof of the building, and it is not yet known how it was started.

A woman who lives in Longsight Lane, who asked not to be named, said: "That clubhouse wants knocking down. The land should be returned to the green belt.

"You do wonder that it is being left as the more derelict it becomes the more chance the council might give permission to turn it into houses."

One resident, who walks his dog round the building every day, said he regularly sees young people going in and out of the clubhouse as the shutters had become insecure.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "They were here for a long while last night and it was well on the way when I saw it.

"I saw some of them with a shopping trolley on here the other night, larking about. Something should be done with it."

In 2010 the clubhouse's owner Robin Day first outlined plans to demolish it, saying that the club was no longer financially viable without the building of the housing estate.

That plan for 16 houses, six apartments and 26 parking spaces was rejected.