A POPULAR York working men's club is to spearhead a new campaign aimed at changing the image of the club world forever.

Huntington WMC is one of 12 clubs across Britain invited to take part in a pilot scheme organised by the Club & Institute Union (CIU), the biggest club organisation in the country.

As part of National Clubs Week, the Huntington club is holding three open nights, starting tomorrow and then on Saturday and Sunday.

Club treasurer Stan Mainprize said the aim of the open nights was to let people know the club world had moved on from its "cloth cap and whippet" image.

The public are invited to visit the club, meet the members and check out the facilities.

Temporary memberships will also be available, that will last until the end of the year.

Stan said: "It is well known that a number of local clubs have gone under in recent years, and the clubs are realising they have to change to survive.

"This club has been here since 1924, I want it to be here in 2024 and beyond."

Stan, 70, said the current public image of clubs may have been influenced by TV, but said he had not seen Peter Kay's hugely popular Channel 4 comedy Phoenix Nights, based on a fictional Bolton club.

He said: "I have heard it is quite funny, though. The image we are trying to give here is of a club that welcomes members of all ages and sexes and offers a wide range of entertainments.

"For example, we still have a four-piece dance band on a Friday night, something just about unique to us.

"We don't do anything raunchy, that is not something we want to be involved with, and is part of the sexist image we are trying to do away with."

Stan admitted the club still had a men-only bar, but said it is something the committee would "dearly love" to change.

"We vote on it at the AGM, but it keeps getting defeated. The margin of defeat is getting smaller each year though," he said.

The open days will be held between 7pm and 11pm tomorrow and Saturday and 11am and 10.30pm on Sunday. All are welcome. For more details, phone the club on 01904 768370.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, October 03, 2002