A WESTHOUGHTON pub which reopened just months before the coronavirus pandemic - then was hit with a licensing review for allegedly serving during lockdown - has announced it is going to close.

The Waggon and Horses in Chorley Road, Westhoughton, reopened in November 2019 after many months of closure, before having to close in March 2020 due to the Covid lockdown.

But the hostelry had been facing a licensing review after an incident on November 23 last year, when council licensing officers say premises licence holder Michael McNamrara and two other men were found inside allegedly drinking during a lockdown.

Mr McNamara claimed the two men had been doing building work for him and he had not charged them for the drinks.

Now the team at the pub announce over the weekend that they will be closing again as the brewery has ended the lease.

They say they were very shocked by this decision and have thanked customers for their support during the difficult lockdown period.

A Waggon and Horses Facebook post, said: "It’s with a very heavy heart that we have to announce that this weekend we will only be doing drinks service and tomorrow Sunday June 27 will be the last day of operating for the Waggon and Horses Westhoughton.

"We are unsure what the plans are for the building as the brewery has ended the lease with very little notice period. We and all the staff are very shocked.

"It’s been lovely meeting and having the support of all of our lovely customers over the past year and a bit which has been of course very hard to keep the business going during these times. We will miss you all."