A DOG training club has had to fold after they claimed they received a £13,500 council rates bill.

Bolton Dog Training club met every week in a semi derelict mill at Hatfield Road.

The club was formed 15 years ago and despite constant vandalism at the premises, the volunteer members carried on and won the praise of the RSPCA and local vets who referred pet owners to them.

But without warning the council served them with a demand for rates and the club had to close.

Mr Dale Anderson speaking on behalf of the members said: " We have nowhere to go. There is no way we can afford this. For years the rates had been waived but a person at the town hall told me they were cracking down on these types of premises."

He said the old warehouse where they met was constantly being broken into -- including three last summer when vandals stole the small amount of stock and even smashed cups and stole tea and coffee used by the members.

"The rain comes in the windows are broken. It has cost us a small fortune to mend them. We had an estimate for the roof and it would have cost £10,000. With that and the rates bill, we had no choice," he added.

The club used the building two nights a week for three hours.

"To event try and meet the bills we would have to increase the lessons to £10 which is ridiculous. People come to to us to train their pets. We turn them into well behaved, sociable dogs. Many of the trainers gave their help and time simply because they cared."

Kathy Kay from Bolton's RSCPA said the closure of the club was a great loss.

"These volunteers do a great job. we even give out vouchers for pet owners to take their dogs there. If a dog is well trained it means it won't end up being thrown out on the streets and end up back in the care of the RSCPA."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "This is a complex issue that has been active for some months. In law if someone occupies business premises we are obliged to collect business rates from them."

The amount payable is set independently by the valuation office in Manchester and was fixed at £4,500 for 2003/4 financial year.

The spokesman said that generous relief is available for organisations such as the dog club and they had been advised that they would be entitled to apply.

"The club have now told us that they no longer occupy the premises and we have cancelled the bill for £4,500 and told them we will not be seeking payments for previous years."