WEDNESDAY was a red letter day for residents on Earby's Northolme estate, with the official opening of their new community centre.

Joan Heaton, who has lived on the estate for more than 50 years, performed the opening ceremony, together with the Mayor of Pendle, Coun Pauline McCormick.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Heaton said she was surprised at being asked to open the new facility, and more than a little worried.

"I felt awful - I didn't want it. I prefer to stay in the background," she said.

But she was honoured to be asked and decided she would do it. She has also served on the committee for the estate's old community centre since it was formed, more than 10 years ago.

Speaking about the new building, she added: "It's lovely. It's to be hoped that it's looked after now that we've got it."

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre, Coun McCormick thanked everyone who had helped make it possible, especially the residents.

"I'm sure you're going to have a good many uses for this centre. It is a splendid building," she told the crowd of local people.

In fact, the new centre is already in regular use, hosting bingo every Monday night and available to hire for private functions. Plans are also in hand for a new parent and toddler group and a youth club for the winter.

The centre will be locally managed by the Northolme Residents' Association, ensuring it meets the needs of the community.

Residents' association member Nicola Murphy said: "All the children have been asking us if they can have a youth club here and we've said we'll start one for the winter months.

"This building will really come into its own in the winter, when it's too cold or dark to play outside."

She and other residents are thrilled with the new stone-faced building, situated between Earlesdon Avenue and the rear of Salterforth Road.

It has a large and airy main room, a modern kitchen and a separate storeroom.

Once inside, people who attended the opening enjoyed refreshments laid on for the event and joined in a toast to the future of the Northolme Community Centre. There was also a raffle and tombola organised by the residents' association.

It is certainly an improvement on the old pre-fabricated building, which had seen better days and stood nearby, just off Warwick Drive.

The new centre came about after local development company Cawder Construction sought permission from Pendle Council to build new homes on plots of land at the estate.

That included the site of the old community centre, now known as White Leys Close.

Pendle Council agreed to sell the land on condition that the company provide a new and purpose-built community centre elsewhere on the estate - a condition it readily agreed to.

Everyone agreed the company had done a good job, providing a good quality building to serve the community.

Anyone who wants to book the Northolme Community Centre can contact Nicola Murphy at 33 Warwick Drive or phone Jane Maloney at Pendle Council's housing department, on 01282 661175.