Three years ago, an Oxford Conservative club stood on the brink of financial meltdown as debts spiralled out of control.

But hard work and dedicated committee members has seen a change of fortunes for the Headington club.

In fact, the fortunes of the Conservative Club have improved so much that it is about to embark on a £30,000 revamp of its main lounge - much to the delight of its 300 members.

Linda Garry, club secretary, said: "Three years ago we were on the verge of closing down because there was just no money.

"I'm really proud of what we have achieved in the past three years and now our hard work has paid off."

She said the money would be spent on renovating the lounge and buying a new bar, carpets, tables and chairs.

She added: "It hasn't been changed for 30 years so it will be so much nicer.

"In 2005, we lost a lot of members when they thought the club was closing, but since then we have really worked hard to get them back and have increased our membership by 100 people in the past year. What we are hoping is the work will encourage new members to come into the club."

Mrs Garry said the renovation work would begin on Monday and was expected to finish on June 27.

She added: "We are managing to keep the club open while the renovation work is going on and we will be setting up a temporary lounge in our hall."

The Tories' revival in Headington in recent times only stretched to the club refurbishment, though.

Chris Clifford, the Conservative candidate in the May local elections, was narrowly beaten by Liberal Democrat newcomer Ruth Wilkinson.

The other Headington seat is represented by David Rundle, the Liberal Democrat group leader in Oxford.

Club treasurer Richard Hughes said he shared Mrs Garry's sense of pride.

He said: "Three years ago we had about £250 in the bank and outstanding debts of £20,000 that the club had borrowed from the Assoc- iation of Conservative Clubs.

"Everyone has worked hard and by hiring the hall out for events and watching the budget we have turned it round, reduced the debt by over half and raised the £30,000 we need to carry out this work.

"It's a great thing for the club and it will really breath some new life back into the place."

Committee member Gordon Mazey praised the work of Mrs Garry and Mr Hughes and the rest of the committee.

He said: "Those two have worked so hard and really made a big difference in turning things around. I don't know how Linda does as much as she does."