A LIBERAL Democrat councillor who was banned from his local Labour club has been invited to come in from the cold -- by the Conservatives.

Former Labour supporter William Collison was told he could not set foot inside Farnworth and Kearsley Labour Club after he ran for Bolton Council as a Lib Dem candidate.

But now committee members at the Kearsley and Ringley Conservative Club have told the 57-year-old he can join them for a drink as a guest whenever he likes.

After hearing the news he said: "I'm glad the Conservatives have been strong enough to move forward on this issue.

"At the end of the day they have realised that most people just want to be able to go into a club for a social drink and a chat. Men lost their lives fighting for freedoms like this. I hope other clubs will follow suit."

Cllr Collison was a member of the Labour club, which stands on Causewayhead, for 26 years and was captain of its bowling team.

When he became a Lib Dem councillor he was asked to resign as a member and to pen a note saying he wanted nothing more to do with the Labour Party.

He agreed to do both on the understanding that committee members would consider allowing him to sign in as a guest of friends and family.

Two months later he was told he would not be allowed into the building under any circumstances.

He has also been a member of the Conservative club for 10 years, but committee members have decided he can still be admitted as a guest, even though he has had to give up his membership card.

Ken Colley, the Conservative club's vice chairman, said: "Cllr Collison had to give up his membership card under club rules, but we felt it would be churlish to ban him from the building altogether.

"We know he's not going to stand on stage and spout his political views. He will always be welcome here as a guest."

Trevor Barrick, the Labour club's secretary, said: "The situation here has been explained to Cllr Collison. Too many members are sore about what has happened.

"The Conservative club makes its own rules. What its committee members do is their prerogative."