THE oldest pub in Blackburn is to be converted into offices.

Plans have been submitted for a complete refurbishment of the derelict King's Head Inn on the corner of King Street and Freckleton Street in Blackburn.

The historic grade two-listed building, built in 1765, was ravaged by fire in 2003 and has been covered in scaffolding ever since.

Experts say it is critical the building is preserved.

It was saved from the brink of demolition in 2004 when heritage chiefs refused permission to knock it down.

Now current owner the Heritage Trust for the North West has applied for planning permission to convert it into office space, a move which would see the inside walls, floors and roof replaced but the origi-nal frontage maintained.

As part of the same project the trust plans to convert the neighbouring building, number three Freckleton Street, into appartments.

The deeds to the King's Head show it was bought by alekeeper John Ainsworth in 1777, and then by Thwaites brewery in 1853. The firm finally sold it in 1996.

After escaping the bulldozers it was bought by Blackburn with Darwen Council which then transferred it to the trust, a registered charity that specialises in doing up historic buildings that have fallen into disrepair.

Heritage chiefs are confident of putting together a complex grants package, including lottery cash, to fund the work, which should be completed by June 2008.

The cost of the scheme has not been revealed as the work is out to tender.

Richard Prest, of Blackburn Civic Society, said the King's Head building was a vital landmark to the town and part of the King Street "heritage gateway".

He said: "It's absolutely critical that it gets repaired.

"It's a complete eyesore at the moment, and gives totally the wrong impression of the town centre.

"It doesn't matter what it becomes, as long as it has a future use."