JUMPIN' Jaks has lost the first round of Blackburn's battle of the nightclubs after postponing its re-launch -- and an appearance by girl group Girls Aloud has been called off.

Management at the St Peter Street club, today confirmed that the chart-toppers would not be appearing at the club on Saturday.

They have decided to delay the re-launch until the end of November when they hope to secure another headline act. But they would not confirm whether the postponement was caused by delays in their plans or Girls Aloud pulling out.

Deborah Dakin, sales and marketing manager at the club, part of a national chain, said: "Of course we are all gutted but we want to reassure our customers that we are still very much here and will be opened as usual on Saturday.

"Jumpin' Jaks is not going anywhere and although we will now have to wait a bit longer for the re-launch, we can guarantee that when it goes ahead it will be even bigger and better.

"It really is a case of watch this space and as soon as we have confirmation of another top act Blackburn's club-goers will be the first to know."

It was reported that club bosses had paid £15,000 to land the band in a bid to lure back customers from club rival Heaven and Hell, formerly Utopia, which opened on August 11.

Girls Aloud were to be the first in a string of celebrity guests at Jumpin' Jaks, which will include ex-Boyzone singer and Coronation Street star Keith Duffy, who is scheduled to appear at the nightspot on December 3.

Peter Clarke, owner of Heaven and Hell, said that he had heard the news and was disappointed for the club.

He said: "This is just one of the pitfalls of using big name acts to attract business to a club. We are still overwhelmed with the response the club is receiving in Blackburn."