OTLEY Rugby Club is looking forward to hosting everything from Christening parties to tribute acts in its revamped clubhouse.

The club's Cross Green premises are already used for all kinds of events, including karate classes, wedding receptions, sales and charity fundraisers.

But Commercial Manager Nigel Unsworth, who took up the role in May, is anticipating being even busier once the completely refurbished clubhouse reopens later this month.

He said: "All of these things help turnover and while we've got a lot on already we want to do even more because, with the Civic Centre closed, we're one of the biggest facilities in town.

"We really want to sell the place as a function site as well as a rugby club and it's working - we've got an over 60s fitness class for men and women starting up at the end of September, and Tumbletots beginning in the New Year.

"A Michael Jackson tribute act in November, meanwhile, has already sold out and we've got more of those kind of theme nights lined up for the future."

He is also looking forward to seeing the reaction of visitors when they see the new-look clubhouse, which is set to open before the end of September following a 16 week interior refurbishment.

He said: "The whole inside has had a facelift, it's been totally revamped - though we have of course kept the long bar, which will have all of the club's memorabilia and old photographs up beside it.

"We're targeting to have everything finished by September 24."

The work has involved re-fitting the building's kitchen, adding new windows and doors, and completely renovating the Hugh Barker Bar and Nigel Melville Suite to make them more attractive for functions.