LONG-suffering residents of Great Harwood have said they are "delighted" with the closure of a troubled nightclub.

In the first-ever case of its kind, Monroe's was shut down under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, following a high-profile police raid two weeks ago.

Two Samurai swords, CS gas canisters and large quantities of drugs were seized and seven people, including owner Anthony Ian Jackson, 59, were arrested.

Police said the club, which did not have a drinks licence, had attracted revellers from all over the North West, the Midlands and even Scotland, with a "large proportion" having criminal backgrounds.

News of the closure was this week welcomed by residents living near the Wood Street club, who said they had suffered problems with noise and disorder outside the premises.

One resident, whose statement was presented to magistrates during the closure hearing, said: "I am immensely pleased that it has been closed down and I hope that the area around the club will get a bit cleaner."

"This is a lovely estate but it has been an utter disgrace. It was terrible every Saturday night, the noise would just go right through the house."

Another said she had been complaining about the noise and trouble from the club for the past 12 years, adding: "It has always been dreadful, I think I eventually got used to it but I know it did annoy a lot of people."

"You couldn't hear the music but there were thudding noises coming from there at the weekend. It would often go on until Sunday morning, so we're delighted it has gone."

Councillor Mohamed Rahman said: "I have raised this issue again and again at meetings of Great Harwood Area Council and also with the police, who have been very supportive."

"I welcome this with open arms and so do the residents in the area. I am very glad to hear the club has been closed down."

The Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Win Frankland, who lives in Great Harwood, said she had also been involved in the campaign to close the club when she was a Netherton ward councillor.

She added: "This is something that has been going on for a long time. I used to get quite a lot of complaints about anti-social behaviour around there."

"I think the way the police have acted has been fantastic, especially as they have been keeping the residents up-to-date with what is going on."