IRREPLACEABLE records and photographs which had been feared lost after the devastating fire at the House of Lords in Barrow have been found by relieved archivists.

A collection of documents and minute books for the former Working Men's Club, also known as the House of Lords, were believed to have fallen victim to the major blaze which broke out at the iconic Barrow building in January.

Files and boxes containing original images, information and documents are claimed to have been stored in the upper rooms as an inferno consumed the Grade II listed property.

The contents were believed to have been lost forever but, almost two months after the fire, relieved archivists have confirmed they have been found.

Susan Benson, an archivist at the Cumbria Archives in Barrow, said: "It has been said that a room there contained a number of documents relating to the club which have now been destroyed.

"Fortunately the minute books of the committee had been deposited in the Barrow Archive and Local Studies Centre and are therefore safe."

The building, officially named the Working Men's Club and Institute but known as the House of Lords, was built in 1870 during one of the most industrious and prolific periods of growth Barrow has ever seen.

The local archives centre is holding a drop-in session at Barrow Library on March 28 between 10am and 12.30pm and from 2pm until 4.30pm. Archivists are keen to hear from anyone who has any photographs, documents or membership cards from any of the social clubs which existed in the area.

The two northbound lanes running alongside the building in Abbey Road have remained closed since the fire. Traffic is able to travel southbound, heading towards the town centre.

Loss adjusters and representatives from the insurance company continue to assess the building to decide if it can be saved or must be demolished.

A fire investigation to determine the cause of the blaze is still ongoing.