A town centre landlord was left baffled when a coffin was discovered at his pub during a clear-out.

The teak-panelled coffin with red silk lining and a hinged lid was found in a storeroom at FJ Nichols, Northgate, Blackburn.

Landlord Chris Wooddissee put the casket up for sale for £50 hoping it would appeal to someone with gothic tastes.

He said: “I have no idea why it was there and I don’t think it’s ever been used. Well, I hope not anyway!”

Chris made the deathly discovery when he was clearing out one of the storerooms in preparation for a major refurbishment.

Among an assortment of old washing machines and other rubbish, he unearthed the fully-intact coffin.

Chris said: “I don’t think it has ever had a body in it but I couldn’t believe it when I found it.”