A moorland village milking barn could become a new micro-brewery under fresh plans.

Jordan Nuttall, of Spring Hill Farm in Belthorn Road, Belthorn, wants to use the redundant building to produce craft ales.

He has applied to Hyndburn Council for planning approval of the change.

The move has been welcomed by Belthorn's county councillor Peter Britcliffe.

In May, a former Chinese restaurant in nearby Guide was granted planning permission to be converted into a micro-brewery and bar.

Mr Nuttall has requested prior approval for the conversion of the Spring Hill Farm barn into micro-brewery.

His application form says he intends to 'convert the original farm barn, previously used for milking cows into a micro brewery for the production of craft ales'.

Cllr Britcliffe, who represents the Lancashire County Council division of Oswaldtwistle, said: "This is an interesting idea.

"I think another micro-brewery in East Lancashire is to be encouraged.

"It is a good use for what I presume is an redundant farm building. This is an example of a farmer diversifying in tough economic times.

"On the face of it I would support this proposal."

In May, George Brockbank of Patron's Tap was granted planning permission by the Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert the derelict premises of the former Guide Village Cantonese Restaurant in School Lane, into a micro-brewery and bar.

Mr Nuttall's application form reveals: "There will be a marginal increase of vehicles delivering to Spring Hill Farm.

"This may impact on village traffic.

"To reduce impact we will try to keep deliveries to a minimum by purchasing in bulk.

"Most of the vehicles bringing stock to the brewery will be our own vehicles.

"The production of the alcohol has minimal noise output.

"Any noise being produced would potentially come from loading and unloading of product.

"This wouldn't be any louder than the noise already produced by the livestock on the farm.

"To reduce the impact on the neighbours, we would try to keep the loading and unloading of any vehicles to weekday working hours to minimise disruption.

"Potential contamination risk of alcohol produced within the brewery by accidental spillage.

"The current drains from the proposed site of the brewery run into the original slurry store.

" This will be emptied regularly and disposed correctly, there is also a 2,000 litre overflow sump if the main tank is full.

"The proposed area has a low probability of flooding."