MEMBERS of Evesham's Ambassador Snooker Club have vowed to fight a planning application that would see the venue razed to the ground.

The future of the Avon Street club, which has a 2000-strong membership, is in doubt amid plans to develop a nearby warehouse. West Midlands Leasing Ltd own the land and plan to demolish the snooker club to provide parking and vehicle access for the adjacent warehouse.

Campaign co-ordinator Irene Heath from Evesham has been a member of the club for 15 years: "It's awful that the club is likely to go. It is a social place and members are very shocked and alarmed that it might go. There is no where else around this town like that place because it has everything for everybody."

Pensioner Peter Alcock, aged 79 from Upton Snodsbury has played at the club for more than 10 years. He said: "The club is central for us, we will not let it go down without a fight."

Bretton Woods, aged 34 has been going to the club since he was a teenager and now takes his own son.

He said: "It has been a great club and it is good to get kids interested in something - it is probably one of the only places in Evesham with something to do. It will be a shame if it goes."

Tim Williams, part owner of the snooker club business for nearly 20 years said: "I was quite shocked when I found out what the owners of the building planned to do with the site. We have objected to the plans as it will mean lorries in a residential and conservation area which is also a one-way street."

Evesham town councillors voted against the proposal at a planning and general purposes committee meeting.

Local district councillor Jo Sandalls said: "The Ambassadors Club is in a conservation area and we are waiting for the conservation officer's opinion on the matter. Until I have his report I cannot say whether the matter will go to committee or not."

To sign the petition against the planning application contact Irene Heath on 01386 761626.