A VITAL club used by charities and community groups has been saved after the borough council granted exceptional planning permission.

Alford Sports and Social Club, in Howley, needed to sell off land after its accounts stopped breaking even.

The money from a four-house development should pay the £10,000-a-year it needs for the next five years to cover running costs and the mortgage.

John Skelton, from the club, warned last Wednesday's meeting of the council's development committee: "If we fail, 1,000 people will lose the club.

"There's a nave view that, even if the club fails, it will go on forever.

"But if the club failed it's a prime three acre site - instead of looking at four houses people would probably be looking at 40.

"So even for the neighbours I would say this proposal is good."

The Bennett Avenue club is used by stroke victims, RAF veterans and other groups.

One nearby resident, Denis Kawsnicki, spoke against the scheme at the meeting.

But council officers said even though the development did not meet the Unitary Development Plan objectives of regeneration, the community benefit of keeping it open made it an exceptional case.

After hearing the views for and against, Clr Linda Dirrir told the meeting: "The club does some very special work and it is well known in Warrington for that, and I for one would move to approve it."

The outline planning application was then passed by seven votes with one, Clr Judith Wheeler, against.