A PUB could be used to house the homeless new plans have revealed.

The Kings Arms Hotel in Plodder Lane could be converted into supported living accommodation, a community cafe and one self-contained flat if the plans are given the green light.

But the hotel and bar in Farnworth has not been sold yet and business will continue as usual until the town hall decides whether to approve the planning application.

The proposal has been submitted by Green Pastures CBS, a Southport-based charity which equips churches to house the homeless.

The charity has more than 70 partners across the country who are housing more than a thousand homeless people, according to its website.

It said: "The reason we house the homeless is Jesus. Giving someone a home is who we are, it's our nature as believers. It's our very nature to serve the least and the marginalised.

"We have seen some amazing changes in people just because we have been able to give them a key to their own home.

"Alcoholics are now free from their alcohol addiction, drug addicts are now free from their drug addiction, unemployed young people with life skills problems are now working, mothers who had been brutally beaten are now housed with their children and so much more."

For the past 20 years the charity has been purchasing property and providing support for churches and Christian charities so that they can reach out and house the homeless in their area.

The change of use application for the Kings Arms Hotel does not explain exactly what it plans to do with the property but it states that there would be eight "sheltered housing" bedrooms.

Sheltered housing is usually accommodation specifically designed for older people, or younger disabled people, to allow them to live independently.

It typically consists of self-contained flats with communal facilities and can be bought or rented, either by individuals or couples.

Council officers are due to decide whether to approve the planning application by the end of January.