A BID to give a new lease of life to a former Royal British Legion Club has been thrown out by planners.

Proposals had been lodged to turn the club in Deardengate, Haslingden, into an auction house and antiques centre.

Also included in the plan submitted to Rossendale Council was a packing office at the old working men’s club, which closed in 2012.

But Rossendale Council planners have refused the plans after concerns from neighbours were raised.

One objection reads: "Additional car/van traffic, with little room to manoeuvre vehicles and lack of adequate parking, particularly on auction days.

"There could also be noise disturbance from the PA system, more so in summer when neighbours have windows open."

Rossendale council said in planning documents: "It has not been demonstrated that the proposed development would be provided with adequate off-street parking and servicing facilities, which are necessary to avoid causing harm to highway safety."

But applicant Mark Galbraith, director of The Lancashire Auction House, said in the documents: "I have walked and driven around Haslingden on all days of the week - most mornings there are plenty of parking spaces - between 40 to 60 spaces on the three main car parks, all of which are within two minutes walk of the building.

"There are also many roadside parking places around the town."