A VETERAN landlord is on a mission to restore a popular pub to its former glory.

The Lostock Arms in Junction Lane, Lostock, closed in 2011 and fell into disrepair, to the dismay of regulars.

But businessman Philip Entwistle snapped it up and drew up plans for its renovation.

At a meeting on Thursday, Bolton planning committee backed the plans and now it is full steam ahead to get the Lostock Arms back up and running.

Mr Entwistle intends to build a first-floor extension at the back of the pub and a single-storey porch extension with a balcony on top.

He also plans to revamp the car park — adding eight spaces to make 33 — and give a modern feel to the pub.

Mr Entwistle, who also runs The Top Lock in Chorley and the Spinners Arms in Adlington, said: “I want to create a spectacular interior and turn it into a pub that our customers can be proud of. I’m hoping to buy a 1920s-style bar that came from a London pub and there will be a real focus on real ale and food cooked on the premises. We’re hoping to create up to 25 jobs and work will begin in the next few months.

“I don’t want to put a time on the finish date, but the aim is to make real progress by next summer.”

The extensions will replace existing extensions that are not of a high standard, Mr Entwistle said.

Two Middlebrook Drive residents formally objected to the project.

One wrote: “I am concerned that the balcony could present a noise nuisance as people will be using this balcony to smoke in the evenings and this is directly opposite my bedroom.”

In response, the council ruled the balcony cannot open between 10pm and 8am.