FORMER members of a defunct Labour club in Bolton can look forward to a cash windfall.

Around 400 former members of Bradford Ward Labour Club contacted a firm of recovery specialists to see if they are entitled to a share of any money following the sale of the site.

It followed an appeal in the Bolton Evening News for members to come forward.

The club, in Bridgeman Street, Bolton, has been closed for more than a year after a series of arson attacks left it derelict.

Members were informed that the site has been sold to a developer for £425,000, of which £150,000 was paid to Bolton Council as leaseholders of the land.

It is understood that creditors are owed in excess of a six figure sum.

Because many records were destroyed in one of the 16 arson attacks since the club shut in June, 2004, the liquidators appealed for people who believe they are entitled to a share of any cash to come forward.

Andrew Rosler, of Ideal Corporate Solutions, has confirmed that in excess of 400 former members will be entitled to be considered for a slice of any cash left over.

But only paid-up lifelong members and annual members from the club's last year of operation will benefit from any cash payout.

Mr Rosler said: "I don't want to speculate how much we're going to pay out because we still have some disputed credit claims but we should be distributing some funds before Christmas although it won't be a huge amount."

Former club president John Holt, aged 72, said he had received many calls from former members.

He said: "None of us has any idea how much we will be receiving, but it's certainly good news.

"The club was a great place in its heyday.

"We had around 600 members in the early 1980s when the building was so busy we had to close the doors at 7pm.

"But as the houses in the area were demolished to make way for industry, the membership declined to about 300 by the end and the club was placed into administration. It was a great shame.

"We had two meetings in the wake of the club's closure to discuss the sale of the building.

"It's wonderful to hear the situation is being resolved."