AN artist has painted a much-loved former nightclub following its demolition last year.

The Palais de Dans — later known as Ikon — was knocked down in October, saddening generations of Boltonians.

The club, which was at the junction of Bridge Street and St George’s Road, may have disappeared from the town’s skyline.

But one of its former clientele has immortalised the iconic venue in a painting.

Chris Briely who was a regular at the Palais in its heyday, said he wanted to create a piece for people to remember it by.

He said: “I remember going to the Palais, I’m 63 and I was very sad when they knocked it down. It was built in 1920 and there are lots of black and white pictures of it, but no colour ones, which is why I wanted to do it in colour.

“Mine has the chimney, which was knocked down in 1977, so it’s my own version of it. Everyone who sees it seems to like it.”

And recalling his own Bolton clubbing days, Mr Briely, from Heaton, added: “My wife Catherine and I used to go and we remember walking around the balcony and looking down at everyone who was dancing

“Everybody our age knows the building as The Palais, it was an iconic building.”

Now Mr Briely is selling off prints of his painting to raise money for The Christie cancer centre, in Manchester.

He said: “So many people I know have gone through The Christie.

“They do such fantastic work, it’s an amazing, inspiring place — and an upbeat place, which you would not think it would be.”

All the proceeds from A2-sized prints, priced at £100, will go direct to The Christie. And a percentage of sales from mounted A4 and A3 will also be donated.

To buy a signed A2 print, contact Chris on 01204 842916. To enquire about A4 or A3 prints email framearound@googlemail.com