A FORMER Post Office that was once earmarked for a sex shop has opened as a barber's.

The Barber Shop, in Gisburn Road, Blacko, has been opened by hairdresser Julie Brindle, who has moved her business from Barrowford.

The former Post Office caused controversy in 2007 when owner Andrew Hennessey threatened to turn it into a sex store, after an application to convert it into a house was rejected by the council.

The shop was painted entirely black and Mr Hennessey also daubed it with writing saying “XXXX” and “For Adults Only” suggesting it was a sex shop.

He also said that the only way the building could make money was to operate as a sex shop.

But now the building has been transformed by Julie, who has been welcomed in the village.

John Ingham, landlord of The Rising Sun Inn, said: “Everyone has been very positive so far and are getting behind Julie and the business.

“I think I was the first paying customer.

“The village is supporting the barber’s and hopefully it will be a success.

“It is a relief that it isn’t being used a sex shop but I think all that was just a joke and a bit of a wind-up.”

Julie said she was delighted to be opening the business and hoped people in the village would be supporting the shop.