A FORMER mayor is planning to transform an Oswaldtwistle pub into a funeral home.

Paul Barton, who was mayor of the borough from 2009 to 2010, is hoping to bring the Foxhill Pub on Union Road back into use, after it closed in July.

The former Woodnook councillor says that if he is successful in gaining planning permission the building will be changed with a refurbishment costing £100,000.

Paul and his wife Sarah, the former mayoress, hope that if all goes well to begin operating the new business in six to eight weeks.

The plan to start their own funeral service is one the couple had hoped to put into practice a year ago.

However, a serious car accident meant the idea had to be put on hold.

Paul, from Oswaldtwistle, suffered head, neck, back, chest, arm and leg injuries in a smash on the way to a mayoral engagement at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

Sarah and mayor’s attendant Jayne Carmody suffered whiplash. The father-of-two remained in hospital for some time.

He said he was now hoping to put his years of experience in the funeral service into practice and bring a key building back into use.

He said: “I have worked in the business for 15 years for other people and it is an interesting and rewarding job to do.

"You meet a lot of very unique people. In the past there have been many times I’ve been on call and someone has lost a loved one and needs things sorting out for them.

“We are going through the planning process now to change the use of the building.

"I’m pleased that it will bring an empty building back into use, because it’s in such an important location.”