THE owner of a hotel which is set to expand into a neighbouring residential home today pledged to attract more tourists into East Lancashire.

Staff at Willow Lodge Residential Home were put on a month's notice nearly two weeks ago, just months after the home, in Blackburn Road, Rishton, was downgraded from a nursing home to a residential home in a bid to secure its future.

All 14 residents are being found new homes elsewhere, according to staff.

A planning application has been submitted by Peter Sleep, of the neighbouring Wickets Hotel to use Willow Lodge as a base for a small leisure centre to be used by hotel guests.

The home is currently run by Dr Kailash Agawal, who has had the building on the market for some time.

Today, Dr Agawal, who has a surgery in High Street, Rishton, refused to comment on the closure of the home.

But Mr Sleep said: "I am concerned that people think I am effectively throwing these old people out, which I am not. Expanding our hotel will be a great boost for Rishton, providing visitors with somewhere to stay as well as upgrading facilities for people who already use our hotel.

"I hope it will attract more tourists to the area. For the town, it is a good thing, much better than it going to waste."

Staff at Willow Lodge are upset at the way they have been treated. Several have been there since it opened. One resident is 97 years old.

The planning application is expected to be considered at the next meeting of Hyndburn Council's development services committee.