OLD furniture at a cluttered Blackburn house was given a new lease of life thanks to TV star Kirstie Allsopp.

Shaun and Jannine Cartwright, of Carham Road, will feature in tonight’s Channel 4 episode of Kirstie’s Vintage Home, after the Location Location Location presenter gave the couple a helping hand.

Jannine, 34, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2005 and underwent surgery before being given the all-clear in 2010, applied to the show earlier this year.

The couple, who have three sons Jacob, Reece, and Archie, learnt new skills and were taught how to upcycle – rejuvenating old furniture to bring it up to date.

During the programme, Kirstie aims to inspire families to make do and mend, rather than throw out, and buy new.

She helped the couple to revive their cluttered lounge area into a 1950s-inspired craft and play room, and their bedroom was given a romantic makeover.

Computer programmer Shaun, 45, said: “Kirstie was lovely.

“She was really kind and caring, and wanted us to get the most from the exp-erience.

“We met Kirstie in London a couple of times, before the reveal, while we were lear-ning new skills such as re-upholstering the dining room chairs.

“Jannine runs her own cake-decorating business from home and we wanted her to have her own room for her crafts.

“It was nice to have som-eone come in and act as a catalyst. The rooms were in a dire state.

“The rooms looked fantastic when they were unveiled. They were a real transformation.

“In the bedroom, they used Jannine’s wedding veil and other material to make a canopy over the bed.

“These are the things which make it much more personal.

“We are delighted with the results.

“The rooms they have done put the rest of the house to shame.”

The TV show will be broad-cast at 8pm tonight on Channel 4.