DARTMOOR prison's social club is to close this week after finally conceding defeat in a tough struggle to make ends meet.

The Dartmoor Prison Officers' Social Club provided a vital social lifeline to residents of Princetown. But the long-running club is set to close at the end of business this Saturday, August 11.

Vice-chairman of the Prison Officers' Association John Masterton said 'It is sad, but the club just wasn't making much of a profit.'

Mr Masterton said that under new prison rules requiring all prison social clubs to demonstrate they were financially viable and independent, the club's prospects had been bleak.

Since the club committee had been made liable for any losses, its plight had seemed inevitable.

He said that with more prison officers living outside Princetown, the club had fewer and fewer customers.

'When all the staff lived in the village it was a thriving concern,' he added.

Mr Masterton said he was disappointed that the prison authorities did not want to take responsibility for maintaining an officers' social club.

Prison officer George Blake said the closure of the club was accelerated by the problems that have affected the countryside this year.

'At the start of this year, things looked quite promising, but we lost a lot of big functions, because of foot and mouth,' he said.

The social club attracted many honorary members among villagers, but with three other pubs in Princetown, the club was struggling to make money.

'We are all quite hurt by it, but it was a decision that had to be made,' said Mr Blake.

It is not known what will happen to the building when the club closes, but Mr Masterton says there are hopes that the Duchy could grant the premises over to the community to be used as a village hall.

The club always had strong links with Princetown life and organised several community events, including Thursday night bingo and an old age pensioners' Christmas party.

In its heyday, the club was the scene of many skittles and darts matches — Yelverton and District Darts League was originally formed by officers at Dartmoor Prison.