A NEWTON Abbot club which suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage in a fire on Tuesday, is hoping to re-open its doors tomorrow.

The committee and members of Highweek Family and Social Club are rallying round to clear up the mess, but the ground floor, which doubles as a function room and skittle alley, will be out of action for sometime, though they are confident the club will rise again like a phoenix from the ashes.

Firefighters from Newton Abbot and Torquay tackled the blaze which swept through the ground floor of the building in Ringslade Road, on Tuesday afternoon.

The ceiling tiles were badly damaged and the flooring and electrical wiring will need replacing following smoke and water damage.

Fortunately, because of the thick wooden ceilings, the first floor was relatively unscathed.

Club director, Ashley Dawes, said that the ceiling tiles took the majority of the fire damage, and they probably helped save the first floor.

He would not elaborate on how the fire started, but described it as 'an unfortunate accident.'

Joint chairman Pam Peardon said: 'As a committee we are devastated, as we are on the up. But we will return. We will keep together and bring new ideas into the club to keep it going.'

She added that they would get as many members in as they could to clear up the mess.

For Highweek Family and Social Club the fire is like a blow below the belt.

In April, the club, originally the ECC Club, set up a fighting fund as it was close to closure.

But successful innovations and planning, with the emphasis very much on a friendly family club, swung its fortunes around with an increase in membership and support from many sporting groups and organisations.

Business has been booming and now it boasts nearly 400 members.

It will without doubt overcome this latest setback and until the ground floor is ready for use again organisations will be relocated.

The club's six skittle teams, who compete in the Newton Abbot and District Skittles League, will also have to play on other alleys until further notice.

Anyone who would like to know about the club re-opening should contact Mrs Peardon on 01626 208237, or the stewardess Anne Elson on 01626 203531.