A HARRY Potter-inspired bar has been asked to change its name and alter references to the popular character by Warner Brothers.

The Horcrux Emporium in Lee Lane, Horwich, opened its doors in October providing a magical experience for fans of the franchise.

But after receiving attention from media outlets and breweries from across the country, the bar has been forced to changed its name and remove references to the series from its products.

According to owner Tom Benson, Warner Brothers, which owns the rights to the franchise after purchasing them from J K Rowling, contacted him on Monday stating that if he wished to retain the name, he would need to apply for a licence from the company.

But the 32-year-old said this would cost the business too much money.

He said: "The name Horcrux was obviously taken from Harry Potter and they contacted us and said we were profiting off assets owned by Warner Brothers.

"It was not supposed to be Harry Potther-themed as such but it was heavily inspired by it.

"The story has been an influence on myself at school and it is a continuing influence on my life because, like a lot of people, I grew up with it."

Mr Benson said he was complying with the request from Warner Brothers and intends to change the name of the premises.

He has come up with two suggestions and has decided to run a poll on the bar's Facebook page, which will run until Friday.

His suggestions are the Horcrucé Emporium and the Crux Emporium (Horwich) and the latter is in the lead with a score of 73 per cent.

But other names have been put forward by customers, including The Place That Should Not Be Named and Diagonally.

Other things that might be changed include some of the drinks names, which consist of cocktails like Dumbledore's Password.

It was also due to hold cocktail-making classes, which they had called Potions Masterclasses.

Mr Benson, who was born and bred in Bolton and attended Bolton School, said he was 'shocked' at the amount of interest and media attention he received last week.

He said: "It just blew up. We have been contacted by PR agencies and media outlets.

"But now we just have to move forward. I am a creative lunatic so I am sure I will be able to think of something."

Warner Brothers has been contacted for a comment.