A BARROWFORD store facing a 'China crisis' is to officially open this year.

Plans for Mihan, a Chinese furniture emporium in Gisburn Road, were put on hold last year after the SARS outbreak in Asia meant exports from the country were suspended.

But now trade has resumed and work is under way to set up the store, under the watchful eye of Walter, a five-foot terracotta warrior statue.

Mihan is the first business venture for Fiona Arnold, from Foulridge, and was inspired by four years spent living in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

She returned to the UK in 2002 and planned the business using her Far East contacts .

As a non-Chinese national, she was advised not to drive in the capital and was assigned a driver, Mr Li, who became a personal friend.

He helped her choose furniture that attracted attention from friends and family - and gave her the idea to import Chinese furniture on her return to England. Mr Li now works for Mihan, scouring markets for items and e-mailing pictures to Fiona.

Her husband, Malcolm, said: "We are hoping to be open in Barrowford in April and people have already been commenting on Walter overseeing the proceedings there.

"Fiona used to go round all the markets in China looking at furniture . It's good we have been able to do something for the people we knew over there and we still have very close links.

"We were very worried during the SARS epidemic and our friends over there told us about people panicking and not having access to information.

"We have heard of one case this year, in Guandong in the south, but hopefully there won't be another epidemic."