DEVIZES Conservative Club's new manager David Bolwell wants to put the club on the radar of people in the town by becoming more involved with community events.

Mr Bolwell, 56, said: "We have about 1,000 members but only about 15 to 20 per cent of them actually use the club in the course of a year.

"Our message to people is that they need to use us or loose us. It is a difficult time generally for pubs and clubs and we need to be getting more people through our doors."

He said the club, which has no allegiance to the Conservative party, is kept afloat by its functions such as weddings and the popular Long Street Blues Club which holds monthly live music.

He said: "In recent years we have not been involved with the Devizes Festival or the carnival but we want that to change so we become more involved with the community.

He is also keen to encourage younger people to become members. The club has snooker tables which are free for members to use apart from paying for the light, a skittle alley, pool, darts and even a shooting range.

Mr Bolwell, who was club treasurer before becoming manager, said: "It costs £15 a year to join or £7.50 for pensioners and our drinks are cheap compared with most places." A pint of lager costs £3 and a pint of bitter £3.50-£3.60.

Mr Bolwell said: "We don't want to be a pub. We pride ourselves on our club atmosphere which is very friendly and welcoming. But we do want more people to realise we are here and to encourage the younger generation to join as they are our future."

The club opens Thursday, Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes and from 7.30pm to 11pm weekday evenings and 7.30pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Mr Bolwell said: "We open Thursday lunchtimes as it is market day but you don't get as many people in as you used to. But our Sunday lunches are very popular and you do not have to be a member come in for those."