A DERELICT pub which served the area 'for close to 100 years' could be set to be turned into a takeaway and sandwich shop if plans are approved.

The former Cross Guns pub has been empty for 'around five years' and an application has now been submitted to convert it into a food outlet.

The plans have been handed by Haji's Cuisine to open their business in the area.

Prior to it closing the pub served the area for 'more than 50 years'.

Hyndburn Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Cox, thinks the plan would be good news for the area if it was to go ahead.

He said: "It would be good news that an empty and derelict building would be brought back into use.

"It's better for the area to have a new business in town than an empty building.

"It's good to see something that the community would be able to use.

"I would hope that the new takeaway would try and be the best that they can be."

Cllr Cox also said any takeaway would have to comply to health and safety standards, easing potential concerns over health risks.

Cllr Jean Battle, who represents the Church ward on Hyndburn Council, said the former pub had previously served people in Church for decades before closing.

She said: "It's been shut for around four or five years now.

"I used to go myself, it had been up and running for at least 50 years.

"It had probably been a pub for around 100 years.

"A lot of pubs are being shut down these days, there is only The Thorn Inn left open in Church."

Two full-time and two part time jobs would be brought to the area if the plans get the go ahead from the council.

The food store would be open from 9am until 11pm from Monday to Saturday and from noon until 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

A spokesman for Younus Khan Architectural Consultant, the agent for the project, said: "It will just be a normal hot food takeaway, featuring stuff like pizza and kebabs.

"It has been an old building that has been closed for some time.

"It will be good to see it being brought back into use in the area."

The pub was listed for sale in 2015 for £100,000.

The two-storey terrace building used to include a lounge bar and a public bar as well as four bedrooms.