DARWEN MP Jake Berry put forward the suggestion of using Crown Paints to decorate the Palace of Westminster as part of its 'restoration and renewal'.

A plan has been established to tackle the significant work that needs to be done to protect the heritage of the Palace of Westminster and ensure it can continue to serve as home to the UK Parliament in the 21st century and beyond.

The roofs are leaking, gutters and plumbing regularly fail and there has been extensive damage to the Pugin-designed interiors, as well as asbestos throughout the building.

It has been previously predicted that the programme could last up to 40 years and cost more than £7bn.

Mr Berry is keen to see Crown Paints, based in Hollins Road in Darwen, involved in the makeover and put the suggestion to Tom Brake, a member of the House of Commons Commission, this week.

He said: "It is hugely important that members have an opportunity to promote businesses in their constituencies that can take part in the works. For example, Crown Paints would be a fantastic company to provide paint and to advise at this early stage to ensure that costs are reduced.

"I had a meeting with Crown before Christmas to discuss the possibility of them being involved and they seemed interested and willing to help.

"I believe that Crown has a unique skill-set in terms of delivering big projects and I want to organise a meeting for them to come to Parliament. That's next on my agenda.

"It will be superb for Darwen if this can happen."

Mr Brake was in agreement with the idea of using Crown and said that a project of this size should be making use of as many businesses as possible.

He said: "Clearly, a project on this scale will require the participation of small, medium and large businesses from all over the country.

"When the project comes forward, I hope that the initiatives used to promote opportunities for businesses in the run-up to the Olympics will be deployed for the restoration of the Palace.

"I hope Crown Paints will bid, along with thousands of other great British businesses."

In 2013 Crown sent David Cameron a special paint for his children's bedrooms.