A BUILDING firm has come to the rescue of an elderly couple whose plans to sell of their business were thwarted by planning officials.

Lorna and Russel King, needed to sell KBS Catering Services, in Great Harwood, after Russel, 65, suffered a stroke in 2001 and they were forced to close down.

After spending all their savings, and with the couple's mobility worsening, they looked like they had finally found a buyer - Tim Lee, who wanted to transform the Park Road property into a family-run Chinese takeaway.

But Hyndburn's planners rejected the application after 13 of Lorna's neighbours objected because they feared an increase in traffic congestion.

The following week though the couple finally managed to sell the property to East Lancs builders Bowkers, who want to turn it into residential property.

The sale, however, has proved to be bitter-sweet for Lorna and Russel, who will see the destruction of all that they have worked 25 years to create.

Lorna, 64, said: "We're pleased to have it sold and we can move on, but it's like having your heart ripped out.

"We've worked so hard for so long to create this business. We've put in all the cookers, fridges and workstations and to know it is going to be destroyed is quite upsetting.

"We've a lot of memories tied up with the place from serving councillors in Accrington Town Hall, to doing the catering for the Great Harwood Agricultural Fair. In fact, our very last customer was Blackburn with Darwen MP Jack Straw at an event in Great Harwood."

She added: "We wanted to sell it to Mr Lee because we knew he would use everything we left. That was part of the deal but we needed to sell the premises."

Now they are appealing for people who maybe interested in buying any of the catering equipment to contact them on 01254 885190.