A YOUNG landlord is believed to be the only Bolton town centre pub boss to have stayed open for 36 hours over the New Year holiday.

Neil Piper, aged 22, and business partner Terry Fletcher decided to start the New Year with a bang by opening the Dog and Partridge pub in Manor Street through fron lunchtime on New Year's Eve until midnight on New Year's Day.

The Dog and Partridge is believed to be the only pub in the town centre to have taken advantage of a government dispensation to licensees allowing them to stay open for 36 hours coontinuously over New Year.

Neil and Terry ran the pub entirely by themselves over that period. Although things went well, Neil is not sure he wants to repeat the experience.

Neil said: "We had a really good time. I was worried that people who were just far too drunk would be stumbling through the door, but we didn't have any trouble at all.

"Quite a lot of the locals stayed through the night until about nine or ten in the morning. It was just like a house party."

Neil worked an 18 hour shift and even spent several hours working as a DJ in the pub.

He said: "I do not know if I'd do it again. If I did I think I would employ some extra staff."

Since the Millenium celebrations licensees have been allowed to open for 36 hours over the New Year -- but it is up to individual licensees whether they choose to do so or not.