A 110-YEAR-OLD Newport social club failed to sell at auction.

The Orb Working Men's Club was withdrawn from sale at The St Mellon's Hotel and Country Club after failing to attract any bidders.

The Lliswerry club, which is currently boarded up after shutting its doors last year, had a guide price of between £80,000 and £100,000.

But there appeared to be little interest at Thursday's auction when no one stepped forward with an offer.

Lliswerry councillor John Richards, who was the club secretary for 30 years, said he was disappointed for the Orb Consortium - a group of former members who saved it from closure three years ago.

He said: "It is disappointing but it is a sign of the times and the market. There has been some interest in it and the consortium hope they can negotiate with the parties involved."

The club closed last April because of falling trade and has since been the victim of vandalism and break-ins.

It opened in 1902 for steelworkers from nearby plants and also made a major contribution to the sporting life of Newport with the formation of a football club initially nicknamed the 'Ironsides', which in 1912 became the core of the newly formed Newport County AFC.

But the declining economy has hit the club hard in recent years and even a buy-out by 40 members, known as the Orb Consortium, could not save it.

The Jenkins Street building is made up of a lobby and bar, a lounge, snooker room and main concert hall with stage and separate bar, which can accommodate 200 people.

Upstairs there is a second function room and there is also a three-bedroom house on the premises, which was once used by the club manager.

Anyone interested in the property can contact Auction House South East Wales on 01633 212555.