BOLTON comedian Peter Kay's hit TV series Phoenix Nights has put traditional social clubs back in the spotlight -- and the goings-on at his fictional club have built up a cult following.

But that success story has not been matched in real-life clubs in the town. Many say they are struggling..

Now Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon is urging the public to visit the clubs -- and breath new life into them.

The dwindling popularity of social clubs is being blamed on the increase in the number of multiple-chain pubs, a string of new town centre bars and changing leisure habits.

Derek Hamer, secretary of Bolton District Registered Clubs, said: "We can't compete with the bigger chain pubs who import their beer and are able to sell it at a pound a pint.

"We are not in a situation to be able to fight back."

Leon Harrison of Bolton Central Conservative Club, said it used to have a number of young regulars, but the number of newly-opened town centre bars had drawn many of them away.

He said: "These new bars cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and they are designed with young people in mind. They can offer cheaper prices than us, sometimes three drinks for the price of one, and clubs like ours simply can't match those sort of offers."

Keith Cotterill, treasurer of Little Lever Working Men's Club, said, "Everyone is having a tough time --both clubs and pubs -- but it is mostly clubs that have been affected..

"We are doing OK, but there are some who are really struggling."

The range and price of alcohol in shops and supermarkets has also been cited as a reason for the fall in business.

Brian Iddon believes that there are a number of factors in the decline of the clubs.

He said: "More people are getting takeaways and alcohol to drink in the home while watching videos or DVDs. The wide selection of restaurants in Bolton also means people eat and drink in these, whereas in the past they would have visited the clubs."

He added: "It would be a tragedy if they were to close.

"It was in places like these that a number of top entertainers, including Peter Kay, started their careers."