A FORMER guest house has undergone a £750,000 transformation into an 'exquisite' boutique hotel.

The stunning Lawrence Hotel in Church Street, Padiham, boasts 15 rooms and hosted a celebratory opening party.

Business owners and guests from Padiham and Burnley were invited to the evening on Friday and were shown around the 200-year-old building.

The hotel, which was previously the Trevelyan Guest House, has large, stylish rooms with ensuite bathrooms, as well as comfortable luxurious common lounge areas on the ground floor.

Michael Huckerby, the hotel’s owner, said he was really pleased with how the hotel looks.

He said: “We got the keys in May and the transformation has gone really quick.

“I was born in Doncaster and raised in Preston so I see East Lancashire, particularly Padiham, as a middle ground for me.

“There’s a real sense of community here in Padiham and the people here have made me feel really welcome.

“We wanted to offer something the town doesn’t have and I believe our bespoke rooms do that.

“We want to give our guests a tailored experience and they are given questionnaires before arriving so we can make sure the right magazines or papers are in the room for them.

“We are booked up for the next four weeks and we are really pleased with that.”

Alan Ridehalgh, who lives in Padiham with his wife Ann, said: “The hotel looks fantastic and I love the rooms.

“It looks like a great place to stay in Padiham and is close to all the sights.”

Chris Billington, of Burnley-based Brentwood Uniforms, said: “Michael has done an absolutely fantastic job with the hotel.

“It’s a real testament to Michael, he deserves a lot of credit for the work he’s done.

“It’s an exquisite place.

“Each room is unique and stylish and will attract people from all areas to come and visit Padiham.”

The building was originally built as a doctor’s surgery before being changed into a guest house.