And the site it used, at the entrance to the hospital in Gayton Road, might now rise from the ashes to become a new education centre.

The club, in existence for more than 20 years, had struggled since 2006 when it faced a four-fold increase in its rent.

It was feared then that the 2,000-strong club would have to close after hospital administrators announced plans for the rent to shoot up from £10,000 to £43,000 a year.

The hospital, itself struggling financially, was no longer able to afford to subsidise the club which, as well as providing staff and family members with a place to relax after work, also raised thousands for charity.

Despite increasing subscriptions, the club owed £9,000 to the hospital trust and had to clear its debt or face eviction.

In a joint statement this week, the sports and social club committee and the trust said: "Everyone is sad to see the club close.

"It has been a feature of hospital life for many years.

"However, social conditions changed and the club no longer attracted the same level of support.

"As a consequence the club's management committee has decided that the club should cease operating."

The statement added decisions would be taken in the future as to whether the club might re-form in a different location.

A number of options were being considered for the future of the club building, it said, one of them being for the trust to build a new education centre on the site.

• See Your Big Event on page 100 of today's Lynn News for pictures of the farewell party.