RUMOURS that one of Bolton's biggest social clubs is set to close have been denied by its owners.

But Breightmet Labour Club has been forced to cut costs after seeing a fall in attendance and profit.

The exact details of the club's financial situation have not been revealed.

But a financial adviser is believed to have visited the club in the last two weeks to discuss its financial situation.

It follows a troubled two years for the Milnthorpe Road club which began when police investigated a £17,000-plus shortfall in its 1999 accounts.

Steward Jim Smith, of Breightmet Drive, was sacked but later won his claim for unfair dismissal after police did not bring charges. It then emerged that the club had lost around £45,000 in 1999 after recording a £3,00-plus profit a year earlier.

Today, Mr Smith blamed the club's problems on the "bad blood" created by the episode.

He said: "The club has died a death - I still go in there to see friends and they tell me the same every time. We all think it is just a matter of time until it does close. People haven't been going there as much as usual and the profits are down. I think it is because of the bad blood caused by my case."

Other club regulars have contacted the BEN voicing fears that the club will soon shut.

But club president John Hayston denied the rumours were true, adding: "We are having a reorganisation to cut costs as we realised our outgoings were greater than our incomings. There is no question of us closing."