AN award-winning Bolton pub has donated £1,000 to a community group looking to improve overgrown land.

Green-fingered volunteers with the Friends of Hough Lane Garden are hoping to transform the area thanks to the cash from The Spread Eagle in Bromley Cross.

The funds have been provided by Coca-Cola following the pub's recent win in the Pub Shop category at the Great British Pub Awards – recognition for the team’s commitment to providing a community service during the pandemic.

Throughout the first lockdown, the pub ran a community shop with a free seven-day delivery service. They also offered goodie boxes for anyone celebrating a special occasion at home. Each week, leftover produce was donated to local care homes.

George Campbell, who runs the pub with Daniel Dunne, said, “We were both delighted to win the Pub Shop category at this year’s awards. This award is testimony to all the staff and volunteers who helped throughout lockdown, to ensure our community continued to operate.

“We now look forward to seeing the community garden project grow, and the funds as part of the award will be a great kickstart to our efforts.”

Coca-Cola GB brands director Paul Grace added: “It’s been so inspiring to see how publicans have stepped up to support local people in lockdown, despite many facing hardship themselves."

“We’re pleased to be helping the Spread Eagle team continue to make a difference, and to a cause that’s close to their hearts."

“We want to keep celebrating the role played by pubs in the community – they support so many of us in different ways, and now more than ever, they need our support in return.”

As a further gesture of appreciation for The Spread Eagle’s commitment to the community in lockdown, Coca-Cola will provide up to £10,000 for the team to invest in a business upgrade or a community project over the next six months.