A MAN who offered his furniture business for free to save it from closing down when he retired, today revealed the firm had been handed over.

Now Kevin Cosgrove is planning other scheme to help others, offering artists free space at another of his Accrington properties.

Kevin, from Lytham St Annes, handed over part of his Allwood business to entrepreneurs from the South after publicly offering his firm to anyone he believed would carry on the Allwood tradition.

He says he was inundated with hundreds of offers for his 25-year-old business, which he described as 'a chance in a lifetime.'

The new owners inherited more than £100,000 of equipment, a full order book and Kevin's staff and contacts.

Now Kevin has turned his attention to a scheme to turn Accrington into the artistic hub of East Lancashire -- by giving talented locals space above a bookmakers!

Kevin, of Lytham St Annes, said: "I own a fair bit of property around Accrington and the two floors above the William Hill bookmakers on Blackburn Road, which aren't doing anything.

"Basically, I want to offer the space there to local artists such as painters, sculptures, photographers and traditional musicians."

Kevin said he got the idea for the scheme when he was approached by a wood carver looking to sell his wares to him.

Kevin added: "I couldn't afford to buy his stuff commercially, but he was obviously very, very talented and I know people would appreciate his work.

"That is where I came up with the idea for this project. Artists could work together here for free, have their space in a communal area or in a personal room.

"I just feel there are a lot of talented people out there who don't get to capitalise on their work or get the recognition for it which they deserve.

"I think this project will change that and the satisfaction I will feel will make it all worth while."