A cooperative club has invited more residents to become part of the family at a historic political building in Milnsbridge.

Members of the Red and Green Club at Bankwell Road want more people to help put on music, films and other events to affirm it as a popular community hub in the Colne Valley.

It is the latest drive by the club, which also hopes to eventually buy the building to make it a permanent and inclusive space in which to spread progressive ideas and values.

It was set up in the old Milnsbridge Socialist Club last August by people from different left and green-leaning backgrounds.

The building has since played host to folk artists, dialect nights and even a conference on the political past and future of the area.

It is also home to several campaign groups, who use the three refurbished rooms as meeting spaces and make the most of the club’s real ale bar.

One of the members, Chris Wiper, said: “We’ve grown quite well since we opened last summer, but would like more people in the community to get involved.

“It’s not like becoming a member of a traditional working men’s club — when people join they get a say in how its run and are encouraged to put on events and help out in other ways.

“We all work together to keep the club going and this helps strengthen the community spirit of the place.

“We want people to know about its fascinating political history and make it somewhere memorable for future generations. It doesn’t matter what political party people align themselves to, if any, we just ask that they share our broad, left-leaning outlook.

“If you want to put on an event or hold your club’s meetings here, please get in touch.

“This year we hope to carry out more work to the building and would like to establish a canal-side cafe so more people can pop in and will have live music every Saturday from March.”

Established in 1892, it has attracted many radical speakers such as Christabel Pankhurst, Philip Snowden, Victor Grayson and prime minister Harold Wilson.

The original club shut down in June before the group took over its running.

Anyone interested in joining should email johng6381@googlemail.com or see www.facebook.com/redandgreemilnsbridge for information.