WAKING up and looking out of a bedroom window to see a graveyard is not most people's idea of a room with a view.

But a Padiham builder has converted the former St John's Church, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, into a luxury home worth nearly £1 million.

Peter Broadley is living in the building until it is sold and wakes up every day to the graveyard view.

He said: "I don't mind being next to a graveyard because they are the best neighbours you could wish to have. You don't need to worry about them stealing your Xbox!"

Formerly a furniture salesman, Peter gave everything up to become a property developer after noticing the former St Anne and Elizabeth Church for sale in Padiham. He converted the dilapidated church into two houses and has now set up a business called Harriet Homes Ltd, named after his seven-year-old daughter.

After finishing his first project, he spotted St John's Church, a grade II listed building. He bought it for an undisclosed price and has spent six months restoring it.

The property was originally built in 1886 and was designed by Sir Basil Champney, an architect best known for his cathedrals.

Sir Basil's brother was the vicar of the church.

Peter said: "It's really unusual for a church of this size to have so many features and that is what makes it so unique."

The church was rundown when it was bought, with floors covered in damp and the roof falling off.

It has the original beams and stained glass windows but Peter has had to fork out thousands of pounds after children damaged the glass by throwing rocks.

The building has now been sandblasted inside and out and has new floors and a new roof.

Peter said: "The roof was a nightmare, took the longest time to put on and was the most problematic. It weighs 90 tonnes."

The one-of-a-kind house has a mezzanine bedroom which looks down onto the lounge, has a fish tank built into the wall and comes complete with its own gargoyles.

Peter has been really pleased with the response to the conversion, after he came under fire from people who believed the work was damaging gravestones.

He said: "My daughter loves the house. Someone came to view it the other day and she told them she didn't want them to buy it because she wanted to stay there.

"People were worried at first about gravestones being damaged but if they had asked I would have shown them around and explained that I don't own the graveyard and can't do anything to it.

"It's really important for people to see what I have done to the church because it was their church and its the most prominent building in the area. I think any criticisms have now been laid to rest."

Around 1,000 people came to see the building when he opened it to visitors on Sunday, some coming as far away from as Australia. And on Tuesday he opened up again to let schoolchildren in.

Peter is now on with his next venture, converting Owl Hall in Accrington into seven to eight luxury houses complete with its own courtyard with a well.