A FORMER private nursing home for the elderly could be turned into a bed and breakfast hotel.

The Treetops Residential Care Home, Burnley Road, Padiham, is standing empty and up for sale at £185,000.

Estate agents Bairstow Eves said the property had been viewed by someone interested in turning the property into a bed and breakfast hotel.

Situated close to Gawthorpe Hall, the building comprises two semi-detached properties, converted to provide residents' accommodation over two floors.

The home had been registered for 13 people; 12 elderly disabled residents and one with learning difficulties.

Mystery surrounds the closure of the building after a Lancashire County Council spokesman said the home could have closed for a number of reasons.

The spokesman added: "Our social services inspection team would have been involved in carrying out checks at the home."

Padiham councillor Bob Clark said that although the home closed in October he was not aware of the situation.

Coun Clark added: "It has been a home for a number of years, but I did not know it had closed."