A controversial scheme which would see land sold off and a popular Whitehaven social club demolished, has been slammed by the community.

Six acres of land behind St Mary's Catholic Primary School and Church at High Road, Kells, has been put up for sale.

Property consultancy firm Walton Goodland has listed the site for sale, and say it provides a development opportunity for housing.

The listing includes an example of what the land could be used for, showing a proposed housing scheme with 88 homes.

The company says the social club would have to be knocked down to allow development of the site, which is currently owned by the Diocese of Lancaster.

A member of the St Mary's Catholic Men's Society Club said: "The members have been coming here for 40 or 50 years. They have never gone anywhere else. Everybody is absolutely gutted about the decision, but there's not a lot we can do.

"We knew if the church needed the land, it would go. They have been trying to sell it for quite a number of years. It's landlocked, there's no way in. The only way in to a new estate is to demolish the club.

"The school is taking the biggest hit. It will take the majority of the car park. The main road to the estate would be running down the school car park. It's going to cause a real danger. It's an issue now getting them to school."

Chris Hayes, who represents Kells on Whitehaven Town Council, said it would be a "crying shame" to lose the social club.

"We need housing and if it's affordable housing or social housing, I'm all for it. But if it's for a company to come in, make money and we lose a great community hall, I'm totally against it.

"It's a really well-used building. It would be a crying shame for that to be taken down. That hall is used by dance groups, old age pensioners. If they lose it, what are they going to do? It's terrible. If they're going to knock that down, Kells will be a riot.

"It's alright building these houses but we haven't got the infrastructure to support it. The schools are full and the road going up to Kells can't cope."

Ann Corkhill, secretary of Whitehaven Flower Club, which meets at the social club, said: "We would really be at a loss without it. It's so nice there - it's a lovely room. We would be very sad if it had to be demolished. We would have to look for somewhere else."