PLANNING officers have recommended a snooker club be turned into flats - to the dismay of the club's manager.

Darlington Snooker Club, on the corner of Northgate and Corporation Road, first opened as a billiard hall in 1915.

The building's owners submitted plans to turn it into four apartments earlier this year.

Club manager Peter Everett confirmed that officers have recommended the redevelopment goes ahead.

Mr Everett - who has opposed the plans since their release - said: "I spoke to the officer yesterday, and it has been put forward for approval.

"We have written letters, and written emails, but it looks like they haven't listened. The members have also made themselves heard.

"I'm surprised at how much response we've had from the local membership. People here are upset about it.

"It's been here for 92 years and now it's going to be flats. There are plenty of flats already. In this area we're having nothing but flats."

The council's planning committee will have the final say on Wednesday, September 19. Now Mr Everett and his members are hoping the plan is rejected.

"I'm hoping they just say: 'We've got enough flats'," Mr Everett said. "I have got young bairns coming in, 12 and 14 years old, saying they will take placards to the town hall on the day of the meeting."

This year, the club - which has more than 300 members - won the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) North-East Club of the Year for the fourth successive year. It also has an entry in the Good Beer Guide.