AN 'illegal' horse racing gathering - at which a man died - has led to a licensing review for a Greater Manchester venue.

Paul Lees, 61, was found collapsed in the car park of Linnyshaw Mill in Walkden, according to council papers.

He is said to have been at a 15-strong gathering at the former Club 147, now trading as Gorilla Warfare Gym, but left at some point.

Police say the meet-up on March 19, during the third lockdown, was banned under Coronavirus Act legislation and licensing officers have lodged a review application with Salford Council.

Councillors have been told that owner Paul O'Dee had allowed premises supervisor Paul Burrows to stage the event at the club, with drinkers bringing their own alcohol, which they kept chilled in fridges there during the racing.

But Pc Krys Urbaniak, who has made the application, said coronavirus restrictions expresssly forbade such get-togethers.

He added: "This means the club should have been closed and no one should be in the premises.

"What has been described by officers, shows these were being breached and enquiries regarding these breaches of the legislation and relevant offences are being investigated by officers."

The licensing committee heard Mr Burrows had been down to check on Mr Lees, after he left the club and he was sat on a barrow outside initially.

Later two or three men also tried to put him in a taxi, councillors have been told, but Mr Lees was not moving.

People present tried to give him CPR but when paramedics arrived later he was pronounced dead.

Pc Urbaniak said the actions of Mr Burrows for organising the event and Mr O'Dee for not intervening to stop it contravened the crime and disorder prevention parts of their premises licence.

Councillors will meet tomorrow to review the licence with police pushing for it to be revoked.