WORKING men's clubs in Burnley will be tightening up their membership policy ahead of new licensing laws in January.

The clubs are only open to members and their guests but some organisations have been allowing non-members to use facilities.

That will have to stop when councils take over responsibility for handing out licences from magistrates and police will be checking to make sure only card-carriers are going to the bars.

Burnley working men's clubs are getting ready for the change but say it will not make much difference to trade.

Briercliffe Working Men's Club secretary Gordon Leighton said: "It will have some effect but not a great deal because most of our people are members.

"It could affect some clubs that rely on passing trade and visitors but we are a village club."

Secretary of Burnley Miners' Club in Plumbe Street Alan Kennedy said police had visited to explain about the change.

He said: "It shouldn't really affect us.

"We have doormen on. It's not always 100 per cent possible to check but we adhere to the rules."

Meanwhile near-by Burnley League Club in Richard Street is having a membership drive.

Secretary Martin Naughton said: "The law's the law but it's going to affect all working men's clubs and it's going to affect takings.

"We are trying to attract new members and we are taking a few names."