HORWICH’S main shopping street was closed off for a huge party last night.

Live music and entertainment from African drummers and carnival queens took centre stage in Lee Lane as residents - many donning fancy dress - flocked to take part in the celebrations.

Twelve pubs were involved in the event which was organised by Jo Taylor, the landlady of The Saddle Inn.

Ms Taylor was granted permission by Bolton Council’s Highways department to close the town’s main shopping street to motorists during the event.

The 36-year old, who is also a student nurse, chose to raise funds for Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, after meeting several customers at the pub who had lost children who were cared for at the hospice.

 

Ms Taylor said: “It was an amazing night. Everybody had such a good time. There were no problems at all, everyone behaved themselves.

“Since we took over this pub two years ago Derian House has been our charity of choice. Last year we did an event that raised £800 for the hospice, but we have a feeling that this party will have raised a lot more than that.”

 

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling, who attended the event, said: “It was a wonderful community event. Jo did an amazing job at arranging it on such a large scale. Several pubs had live music, there was a fun fair for the children and the pubs and restaurants were all thriving.

“It was packed – there were literally thousands of people there. The town has a fantastic community spirit anyway, but to see it bursting at the seams like that was incredible, especially as we’re used to seeing so many pubs and bars shutting these days."