MEMBERS of a snooker club are desperately searching for new premises after a hefty rise in rent has left them out of pocket.

The Northallerton-based club, which was established in 1924, faces an uncertain future because its rent in the town's Central Arcade has been raised from £1,300 to £6,000-a-year.

The Alverton Snooker Club is unable to pay the fee and has until August to find a new home for its full-sized table and more than 30 members.

The rent rise has been made by Barkers, who purchased the properties in the Arcade in 1998.

Owner Charles Barker said: "The club's rent has not been increased for a considerable number of years and it has simply been brought into line with what it should be. Northallerton is a growing town and we are looking at doing a lot of work in the Arcade.

"We have got an architect working on it at the moment."

The news has come as a big shock to members of the snooker club and they are concerned that they will not find suitable premises to move into.

Assistant secretary Stephen Gorman has been involved with the club for more than ten years and feels let down by its landlord.

He said: "At the time that Barkers purchased the properties they told us that our tenancy was safe and they weren't looking to change things.

"Now the rent has gone up to a figure we can't afford. We have a limited membership and the majority is made up of pensioners who only pay a £10 subscription charge."

The club has been situated on the upper level of the Arcade since 1988 and over the last seven years has raised more than £9,000 for charities and local schools.

Mr Gorman added: "It is more than a club, it is a place for our retired members to meet old friends and to feel a part of something special, as well as having a friendly game of snooker or billiards."

The club is looking for a couple of rooms, with one measuring 30ft by 20ft so they can install a snooker table.