MEMBERS of an award-winning snooker hall have begun a new battle to save their club from closure.

Derek White, owner of Darlington Snooker Club, has lodged an appeal after his plans to convert it into four apartments were refused.

Mr White, who also runs White Bros motorcycle shop downstairs, submitted his first plans last summer.

He said it made good business sense to convert the club into flats, because previous owners had run the business at a profit.

Mr White said there had also been concerns about rent payments and repair work at the club, which is on the corner of Northgate and Corporation Road.

Snooker players and club members launched a petition against the plans. They also held a protest outside Darlington Town Hall on the day of the planning hearing before crowding into the committee room.

Planning officers had recommended that the proposals to convert the club into four flats should be approved.

But councillors went against planning advice and rejected planning permission.

Peter Everett who runs the club with his mother Rita, said: "Everyone was ecstatic at the time. It was like a carnival for several weeks afterwards.

"I got a phone call and was told about the appeal. It felt like I had been kicked.

"I didnt think he would appeal. There was a six-month appeal process which went through at the last minute."

The club was first opened as a billiard hall in 1915. It has changed hands several times, but apart from a short period as a bingo hall, has always been a snooker hall.

It has also won a number of Campaign for Real Ale awards.

Mr Everett added: "I just won the club of the year again last month. We are quiet again at the moment because of the summer time.

"We have to keep going, organise events and keep people interested. We keep fighting and keep going."

Mr White was unavailable for comment. He said following the councils decision in September he would wait for the written reasons for the refusal before deciding whether to appeal.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said the appeal had been sent to the planning inspector in Bristol.

A final decision would be expected later this year.