DRUG addicts and vandals are plaguing a Bolton neighbourhood as the historic United Services Veterans' Club is stripped of its dignity. The mindless destruction of the ex-servicemen's club is causing distress to war veterans, says vice-chairman and local resident Cllr Martin McLoughlin. The club, currently up for sale following its shock closure last October, has been fired by arsonists five times and is now said to be infested with rats.

Angry Cllr McLoughlin is backing local residents who say they are fed-up of the wanton vandalism.

One resident, who asked not to be named, claimed that people in the Davenport Street area were overrun with vermin and are appalled at the drug related crime in the area since the club's closure.

The 91-year-old club, which was the second oldest service veterans' club in the country, lost its long battle to stay open when receivers were called in last autumn.

The angry resident said: "We are now overrun with rats. People are dumping rubbish on the premises and there are needles lying around.

"The fire brigade have been up five times recently.

"I can't see anyone buying that building now.

"Nothing seems to be being done and the residents around here are up in arms."

A £55,000 offer was put in for the building last year but it was rejected as "unacceptable".

Fire swept through the building weeks later and it has since been plagued by arsonists.

Cllr McLoughlin said that he had to threaten estate agents with a council enforcement order to board up the building to try to stop trespassers.

The derelict building is next door to the former Chadwick's Foundry which was demolished after a teenager fell through the roof last July.

Cllr McLoughlin said: "The whole area should be redeveloped.

I live across the road from the building and see people walking in an out all day and night. "Some people have been seen carrying things away at 3am in the morning.

"They are stripping the building bare.

"I also think stolen property is being hidden there.

"It is a sad reminder to members to see the building in this state."

Even though the club has gone, the association lives on and meets once a month at the Central Reform Club on Brownlow Way, Halliwell.

Veterans should contact Cllr McLoughlin for details on Bolton 409907.

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