A GRADE-two listed church had become more than a business opportunity to its owner, it has been revealed.

The man, whose identity has not been revealed, has spent a couple of years living in a converted maisonette in Belgrave Church, in Belgrave Square, Darwen.

He is emigrating soon and has decided to auction the building through Manchester-based Eddisons on April 18.

The new owner will have to finish turning the church, which ceased to be a place of religious worship in the early 1980s, into 15 flats.

Planning permission was given for this in 1994, but the current owner has only finished converting three of the residential flats.

In the early 1990s the church almost became a car park, but at a public inquiry the Department of Environment deemed it of too much architectural and historical importance to be demolished.

Anyone wishing to view the property prior to the auction should call 0161 831 9444.