ONE of Swindon's oldest working men's clubs is set to launch three new business ventures including an internet cafe a bid to put itself on a better financial footing.

The Milton Club in Milton Road near the town centre was on the brink of closure in 1999 after running up debts of £150,000, but was saved thanks to a deal with banks.

Since then it has been looking for new ways to earn money, and plans to hold an open day between 10am and 11pm on Saturday to showcase its projects.

Taking a step away from the traditional image of working men's clubs, it is set to open an internet caf with three computer terminals, and serve tea and coffee all day.

The second venture is called The Meeting Point two rooms for meetings and parties which can accommodate anything from two to 70 people for private functions.

And in a joint venture, it has teamed up with Swindon-based Dream Management to open a fully operational recording studio on one of its three floors. Meanwhile, the club's Canal Room can be used by bands as a rehearsal room.

Club spokesman Ted Ludford said: "The Milton Club has been serving the community since 1922 and we are excited at developing our new services. We hope residents and businesses will come and use these new facilities."

In addition to the new services the club still offers the traditional members' bar, which is open to people using the internet caf, along with two pool tables, a fully equipped skittle alley and a tournament-size snooker table.