AN HISTORIC cricket club pavilion in Farnworth looks set to be demolished after fire swept through it last night.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage marks the end of the line for the old Farnworth Social Circle pavilion, say officials.

Firefighters were unable to save the building after faulty wiring sparked a blaze at the Piggott Street club last night.

Today club officials were meeting to discuss bringing in the bulldozers to demolish the 100-year-old club house.

The old building, used for table tennis and social fund-raising events, suffered more than 50 per cent damage.

A new clubhouse built close to the older building was untouched by the blaze.

The fire broke out in the kitchen area of the club at 10pm last night.

Treasurer Bob Brabin said: "We are all very disappointed. Eventually the old club house would have been demolished. Now it means bringing in the bulldozers earlier than we expected.

"There will be nowhere for the table tennis or social events to be held now. Luckily, the changing rooms, which are right next to the pavilion, have been saved. Fixtures can go ahead as normal."

The club has recently been awarded a £168,000 lottery grant for refurbishment plans.

The old club house, built before the first World War, is now set to be flattened and replaced by a car park.

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