A SOCIAL club has been partly demolished after a huge fire ripped though the building.

The derelict Great Lever Conservative Club, in Greenland Road, was set on fire in a suspected arson attack this morning.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at 5.30am, but said the fire had been burning for several hours before they were alerted.

When they arrived the roof had already collapsed and they used an hydraulic platform to try to control the flames.

A dozen firefighters tackled the raging fire for a couple of hours.

The isolated club, which is surrounded by trees, had been targeted by graffiti vandals but this is the first time it had been set alight.

A crew remain at the club today to ensure the fire is fully out, while the builders have moved in to demolish part of the building to make it safe.

No-one was inside the building at the time of the fire.

Watch Manager from Bolton central fire station, Kev Barrow, said: "When we arrived the building was well alight and the roof had fallen in, so it was clear the fire had been burning for several hours before it was called in.

"The fire was a similar size to the one at the Breightmet Labour Club a few months ago.

"But unlike in that case, where the fire service had dealt with smaller fires at the premises on a number of occasions, this is the first time we have been called out to this club.

"It will take about 12 hours to damp down the building and ensure the fire is fully out.

"Because of the state of the building it will be difficult to find out the cause, but it is more than likely it was deliberate."

In March Breightmet Labour Club was burned to the ground.

The social club had been plagued by vandals and arsonists since it closed last year.