Richard Peters wants to convert his garage at Lake View House, in Northfield Road East, Market Deeping, into the crematorium.

It is something he has wanted to do for some time and eventually hopes to include a Chapel of Rest.

Pet owners would be able to choose an urn for their animals if the plans come to fruition.

Mr Peters has applied to South Kesteven District Council to change the use of his garage to a pet crematorium and will also need a licence from the council's environmental health department.

Mr Peters, 44, and his partner Linda Betts run a cattery, tree nursery and caravan storage firms from the site.

The businessman said: "It is something that I have thought about doing for a long time after speaking to local vets.

"I thought there might be an opportunity.

"A lot of people keep their pets at home in ash boxes.

"I have mentioned it to customers and they think it is a great idea.

"People tend to think of dogs but it could guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits.

"The bodies have to be disposed of and you can't always bury a pet in your back garden."

Under the proposal Mr Peters would collect the dead animal from the pet owner's home or vets to take back to the crematorium. The bodies would be incinerated on the same day.

Animal bodies would have to be unloaded into a holding room in the garage and the incinerator would be outside the building.

Mr Peters would be able to cremate any animals weighing up to 50kg.

Owners would then receive their pet's ashes in an urn.

Mr Peters is hoping that planning permission could be granted within the next eight to nine weeks.

He said: "We are starting off slowly but we shall end up with a chapel of rest where they can come and visit their pet before it is cremated."