A ‘GRUMPY old men’s club’ is celebrating its success a year after it was set up.

Twelve months on, Cllr Peter Wright admits he has not really had to turn frowns upside down, after launching the Over 50s Lads Club at Horwich Community Centre.

He said: “Myself and another councillor came up with the idea, and then we left it to our ladies to come up with the ‘grumpy old men’ as part of our name.

“However, it was just a bit of fun, and to be a member doesn’t involve anyone having to be necessarily grumpy and from time to time we are happy to welcome wives or carers along too.”

Cllr Wright, 51, who came up with the idea partly to help his own mental heath issues, explained: “Most men aged over 50 remember attending the lads club as youngsters, and it is essentially for those who are at home and often socially isolated either through illness or unemployment. In comparison women have many activities, but the men have very few.

“We have all sorts of different activities including board games, chess and scrabble and we have a sprightly 86-year-old who turns up to coach and play table tennis and darts, dominoes and cards.

“We also have talks about every subject under the sun, although we tend to steer clear of politics. However, we have had some lively discussions about Brexit with some wanting to stay and others not.”

The club also has regular guest speakers and is aiming to launch a fundraiser in 2017 for the Mental Health Independent Support Team.

The group meets every Tuesday from 2pm to 4.30pm and the £1 fee includes refreshments.

Cllr Wright added: “The setting up of the group has helped build my confidence and having somewhere for men to go to has been very positive.”