Clicks when try to start

check your battery connections, especially the ground on both ends to make sure clean and tight. either try to jump start or charge the battery fully and have it load tested.

Checked the battery and cables. But why would the lights on the dash stay on after the key is taken out ?

Usually if there is a problem with lights and electrical things coming on when they aren't supposed to it is related to the ground. It might not be the battery ground, check all the grounds you can find.