HUNDREDS of bingo fans in High Wycombe have been given a reprieve after a new venue was found for their favourite game.

The Needham Bingo and Social Club, in Desborough Road, closed two weeks ago after a decline in members left remaining players without a venue.

Distraught players signed a petition and presented it to Wycombe District Council after hearing the news of the closure.

But now dedicated bingo caller Dave Hardy has found a new spot for his regulars to enjoy themselves.

The Irish Club, in Station Road, will now host bingo evenings on Tuesday and Sunday evenings from 7pm.

Dave said: "On our last day at Needhams we had more than 200 people playing in just the two sessions.

"The oldest person was 93 I think, it was a very popular thing.

"I told them all to keep in touch as I was hoping to find a new venue, and now I have.

"I was the bingo manager at Needhams and I will be coming back to do the calling at the new place."

Jack Needham, 75, had owned the club for 40 years, but said he had no choice but to close it because numbers of players had tailed off.

At its peak it attracted more than 700 people in one night, but that figure had slowly fallen to 200 people a week.

Now Dave hopes the new location will bring the regular punters back to bingo and attract some new people too.

"There was nothing really wrong with Needhams, but there are three flights of stairs and it is difficult for OAPs to manage.

"Now we are going to be at the Irish Club, which is on the flat and quite large so I'm hoping they will all come to the new venue," he added.

Dave will be calling "eyes down, looking" for the first time at the Irish Club this evening from 7pm.

More than 300 bingo fans in High Wycombe got so upset when Needhams closed they signed a petition to get a new hall built, possibly as part of the Eden project.

It was handed over to Wycombe District councillor David Carroll who told bingo devotees the idea would be considered.

* For more information about the new bingo nights contact Dave on 07952474642.